"Hispanic officers have the same kind of opportunities in this organization anyone has," he said.

He also said the article did not clearly express his views about recruiting Hispanic officers.

In the 1980's, with more female, black and Hispanic officers entering the department, changes are inevitable.

Of them, 434 white, 247 black and 46 Hispanic officers passed.

The town's 96-member force includes nine black and three Hispanic officers.

Our lives are on the line because we do the same jobs as white and Hispanic officers.

Three of the whites - and the only ones who fired - were Hispanic officers.

Today, blacks comprise 11 percent of the force, Hispanic officers an equal number.

The young Hispanic officer had been assigned as his aide.

He said the police department had hired more Hispanic and black officers during his term as mayor.