During 2009 there were also many joyful moments and a great deal of pride for women in law enforcement across the country and in Region I. Many women have advanced in their careers with several achieving the position of Chief, Director of Public Safety and Sheriff. We now have more women heading law enforcement departments in New England then ever before. Congratulations to all of these fine women.
SOME RECENT PROMOTIONS -
Deputy Chief Debbie Friedl - Debbie Friedl now holds two new positions. She recently was named the Executive Director for IAWP. Debbie has been a long time supporter of the IAWP and has given much of her time and energy to IAWP as your Region I representative for the past nine years. I know she will continue to bring her energy, ideas and professionalism in her new role of Executive Director. Just a little over a year ago Debbie was also promoted to the position of Deputy Chief of the Lowell Police Department, MA. Her appointment was another first for women in law enforcement as she is the first woman to hold this position.
Acting Chief Mary Beth Hebert - Mary Beth Hebert was appointed acting Chief of the Vernon Police Department, VT.
Chief Mary Lyons - Mary Lyons was named the president of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, another historic landmark for women in law enforcement as she is the first female president of the organization that has been around for more than one hundred and twenty years.
Deputy Chief Linda McCaul - Linda McCaul was appointed as Deputy Chief of the Harvard University Police Department, MA. Linda has been a great mentor to the women on her department and has been a major supporter of the Massachusetts Association in Law Enforcement (MAWLE) where she and her dedicated staff have hosted several of MAWLE's annual conferences.
Colonel Marian McGovern - Marian McGovern was appointed as the Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police in December 2009. She has made history with this appointment, being the first female to head the Massachusetts State Police, a department with more than 2,200 members.
Chief Jane Moran - Jane Moran was appointed Chief of the Southborough Police Department, MA in November 2009.
Chief Colleen Smullen - Colleen Smullen became Chief of the West Haven Police Department, CT in December 2009. She also made history, being the first female to achieve the rank of chief of the West Haven Police Department.
REGION I BLOG -
Region I now has new blog. This blog will be a great way to get news out to the region members in a more timely fashion and also provide a venue for region members to contribute news of their own. Please visit this blog often and give me your feedback on it. It is a new blog and has plenty of room for improvement plus any input you may have.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN REGION I -
The Connecticut Association of Women Police, on March 11, 2010, will be holding their annual Officer of the Year Awards Gala. The keynote speaker will be Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz. The following awards are being given on that date -
- 2009 Officer of the Year Award - Chief Karen Krasicky (Plymouth Police Dept.)
- Community Service Award - Det. Rachel Halas (Danbury Police Dept.)
- Excellence in Performance Award - Trooper First Class Charlene Taylor (Connecticut State Police)
- Leadership Award - Lt. Mary Elizabeth Curtis (Willimanic Police Dept.)
- Valor Award - Officer Tamra French (Easton Police Dept.)
The Brookline Police Department, MA will be hosting for a 3rd time the seminar "Meeting the Challenges of Leadership" on April 26 - 28, 2010. This 3-day seminar is is taught by Dr. Karin Montejo, recently retired Chief from the Miami-Dade Police Department and an IAWP member. This seminar was well received when it was held in October 2008 and April 2009 with positive comments from all the participants on the instructor and the course material. Further information on the seminar will be forth coming soon on this blog. A discount will be provided to all IAWP member.
The National Center for Women and Policing will be holding their 15th Annual Conference on June 7 - 10th in Salem, Massachusetts, partnering with the Essex County Sheriff's Department and the Massachusetts Association of Women in Law Enforcement. Further details can be found on their website, http://www.womenandpolicing.org/.
Stay safe,
June Murphy
Region I Coordinator
