Sheriff Kelly Martinez and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office were honored on May 5 for their Academia del Alguacil (Sheriff’s Spanish Academy) by the Anti-Defamation League during an awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
The Helene and Joseph Sherwood Prize for Combating Hate is awarded by the Anti-Defamation League to recognize law enforcement efforts in fighting hate and bigotry. It is considered one of the most prestigious awards given to the law enforcement community.
Academia del Alguacil, launched in spring 2021, was the first-ever Spanish-language Sheriff’s Academy in the United States. Developed with support from the San Diego County Office of Education’s Migrant Education Program, this six-week academy aims to remove language and cultural barriers that can prevent community members from accessing law enforcement resources or feeling safe engaging with public safety officials. The program is taught entirely in Spanish and serves Spanish-speaking families as well as parents of migrant students—groups that often experience fear or misunderstanding when interacting with law enforcement.
“The Sheriff’s Spanish Academy not only provides equitable access to critical public safety information but also sends a powerful message: language should never be a barrier to protection, safety, or belonging. This commitment to equity directly strengthens community resilience against hate-motivated behaviors and bias-driven mistrust,” said Martinez.
Since its start, Academia del Alguacil has graduated more than 500 members across communities within the Sheriff’s jurisdiction throughout San Diego County. Sessions have been held both in person and virtually to increase accessibility. The latest session began recently in Valley Center at Saint Stephen Catholic Church with record attendance of over 100 community members.
San Diego County Government delivers essential services through groups focused on public safety, health and human services, land use and environment, finance and general government, and community services; it also supports historic preservation initiatives across urban, rural, mountain, and desert regions according to the official website.
Law enforcement officials say that during times of heightened concern around immigration matters such programs are vital platforms for dialogue between officers and residents. “Law enforcement is a dynamic concept and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring that we offer resources and information to our community members,” said Martinez.
