Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement

Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement
Femmes dans l'application des Lois de l"Atlantique

President's Message

Welcome to 2009!

It’s hard to believe we’ve put another year behind us.

The 2008 AWLE Conference held in Sydney, Nova Scotia in November was a resounding success. Conference co-chairs Cst. Erin Donovan and Cst. Roberta Kelly and their committee put together an outstanding training symposium that was attended by well over a hundred delegates. From the meet and greet to the last speaker, the conference was highlighted with Cape Breton hospitality, generosity, and professionalism. Thanks to Erin and Roberta and the Cape Breton Regional Police for hosting a great conference!

The conference provided the opportunity to present awards to outstanding female officers. S/Sgt Kim Quartermain, Fredericton Police Force, was the recipient of Officer of the Year, Cst. Joany Paradis from Neguac, J Division RCMP received the Community Service award, Cst. Lisa Whittington of H Division RCMP Drug Section received the Excellence in Performance award, the Mentoring award went to Cst. Tammy MacDonald of Halifax Regional Police, the Leadership award was presented to Cpl. Annie Neilson of Bathurst, J Division RCMP, and the Team Endeavour award went to the Scarlet Soiree Organizing Committee, led by Cst. June Chiasson of the H Division RCMP. Congratulations to all recipients, who will be nominated for IAWP awards that will be presented later this year. More information on the conference can be found elsewhere on the website.

Mark your calendars for the 2009 AWLE Conference that will be held October 20-23 in Stellarton, Nova Scotia. More information will be coming in the near future. Cst. Sherri Curley, RCMP Eastern Corridor Traffic Services (Stellarton), and Cst. Kathleen Verner, New Glasgow Police Service, are co-chairs. Check back on our website for conference details and registration forms.

At the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) conference held in Darwin, Australia, in September, 2008, we were very proud to have two IAWP award recipients from the AWLE. Cst. Marie Dumont of J Division RCMP (Oromocto, NB) received the Officer of the Year Award and Cst. Tammy Sanders of Saint John Police received the Medal of Valour Award. These outstanding police officers represented their province, region, and country with professionalism and were excellent ambassadors for the AWLE in Darwin. Another Canadian, Det. Cst. Suzanne Bedard of Halton Regional Police Service, Ontario, was the recipient of the Excellence in Performance Award. Congratulations!

The next IAWP conference will be held in Seattle, Washington, from September 20-24, 2009. More information about the conference is located at www.iawp.org

We are underway in our plans to host the 2012 International Association of Women Police conference. As a result of a successful bid proposal put forth by Cpl. Chris MacNaughton, Sgt. Suzanne Bill, and Cpl. Colleen Fox in Darwin, the 2012 IAWP conference will be held in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador and will be co-hosted by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the AWLE. The Delta Conference Centre and surrounding hotels have been secured for the conference, which will be held September 9-15, 2012. This will be the 50th anniversary of the IAWP training conference and the 20th annual AWLE training conference. We're looking for guest speakers and ideas for fundraising and sponsorship, so if you can provide assistance or information, please contact conference co-chairs Sgt. Suzanne Bill of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary sueb@gov.nl.ca or Cpl. Colleen Fox of the B Division RCMP colleen.fox@rcmp-grc.gc.ca I encourage you to get involved and plan to attend. It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Our next edition of the Notebook is being prepared for publication. If you have any articles for future submission, send them to Notebook Editor Cpl. Colleen Fox at colleen.fox@rcmp-grc.gc.ca We'd love to hear from you.

The AWLE executive is working hard to ensure the success of the organization and have made some policy amendments. If you have any suggestions on how we can improve, or if you would like more information, please don't hesitate to contact any executive member. I would like to personally thank the executive for their time and commitment.

Have a safe and happy spring!

Paula

Cst. Paula Raymond AWLE President

paula.raymond@hotmail.com