Networking for Women in Law Enforcement

Networking for Women in LE

Don't Overlook This Valuable Activity

Posted: October 20th, 2010 02:26 PM GMT-05:00

Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith
Women in Law Enforcement

Officer.com

In 1996 I attended my first International Association of Women Police conference. It was held in Dallas, TX and I attended it by myself but I wasn't alone for long. Usually I'm a total control freak who plans things down to the minute (just ask my family about my pre-planned assaults on Disney World, otherwise know as vacation) but this time I decided to just wing it.

I found myself swept along by hundreds of other attendees, mostly women, as we socialized, attended classes, and learned more about each others' cultures, countries and responsibilities. I found out that most Royal Canadian Mounties don't actually ride horses. I learned the difference between an Australian and a British accent. I even met a group of female detectives from Uganda who had to walk an average of three miles to investigate most of their cases (so much for complaining that the city was forcing me to drive that damn patrol car with nearly 100,000 miles on it). The whole experience affected me profoundly; I had never been at an event with that many fellow female cops. I no longer felt isolated, so afterwards I vowed to get out there more and network with other women.

The 48th IAWP Annual Conference Minneapolis, MNA Huge Success!

The IAWP Annual Training Conference that was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota was a huge success with 525 attendees and 64 countries represented.  The host departments and those who gave of their time went all out to make everyone comfortable and provided a number of entertainment for all in the evening hours and numerous training sessions during the day that covered information ranging from international policing, health concerns of police officers, self defense, corrections, forensic science and critical incident component.

A sample of the classes -

• United Nations Global Effort
• Global Policing: Voices from the Field
• Forensic Science
• Partnering for Prevention
• Krava Maga
• Live Firearm Training
• How to Train Police Officers A Police Chief Wants
• Wake Up to a New You
• Critical Incident
• Behavior Profiling
• Working with Female Offenders
• Successful Reentry Components

Keynote speaker

Author and inspirational speaker Verna Price

Guest speakers

Commissioner Ann-Marie Orler  with Asst. Inspector General Kadi Fakondo (Dafur Mission) and Commissioner Agathe Lele (Burundi Mission)

Patty Wetterling (mother of Jacot Wetterling)

Attorney Jeff Anderson

Awards were presented to the following women - 

Heritage Award - Chief Connie Maki

Officer of the Year Award - Constable Sharon Warren, Royal Newfoudland Constabulary, Canada