Forces of Fashion

Inspector Keeping (RCMP), Constable Chanel, Constable Lawford (Brandon Police) Boarder Guard Dennison (Canadian Border Services Agency), Correction Officer Kopilas (Federal Corrections), Inspector Stephanson (Winnipeg Police), Sergeant Martin (Winnipeg Police)
(From left to right side)


Do you remember how excited you were to get your first uniform?  I do. 

My own parents were away the weeks leading up to my new career with the Winnipeg Police Service.  I was working for family friends, Nathan Detroit's Sandwich Pad, and recall that they were excited as my own family about this adventure.  My "boss" and close friend Ian let me leave over the busy lunch hour to attend an appointment for my uniform fitting.  I returned to work and he, my friend Brenlea, and everyone else there was very excited and wanted to see all of the various pieces....the new shirts, ties, uniform pants, boots and forge cap.  I took it all out and put on display right at one of the front tables in the restarant.  I picture this day as if it was yesterday!  Happy memories!

Our uniforms are a symbol of who we are as law enforcement officers.  They are also a symbol of achievement for women in law enforcement because today we take for granted the fact that we have proper fitting uniforms and equipment.  Some pioneer woman made that happen for us by pushing our agencies for equality in this area.

Uniforms are also a symbol of the rank achievement.  White shirts are symbolic of senior officer status, as in the case of Winnipeg Police Service Inspector A. Stephanson who proudly displays the senior officer uniform of my agency.  The gold braiding of Inspector J. Keeping forge cap indicates her achievement to this rank within the RCMP. 

The "Forces of Fashion" show will be held on International Women's Day, Friday, March 8, 2013 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Richardson Science Complex, University of Winnipeg.  The event is designed to celebrate women in uniform and all that we have achieved in this field.  There will be a display of historic to modern uniforms by actual police models.  Business fashions from a local retailer will follow.

As proud as I was to receive my first uniform, I stood before the local media this past Monday, February 25 with these women to show off our uniforms.  We hope you will join us for the celebration.  If can not...please check back here for highlights!

To honour a lost friend

Constable Jennifer Zaretski of the Winnipeg Police Service was a recruit class mate to Kara Huffaman when she worked here in Winnipeg.  Jennifer made the journey to Sudbury to pass her respects to her friend.  The following is a message from Jennifer about how she is asking other friends to honour the friend she has lost.


As some of you are already aware, our dear friend and fellow former Constable with the Winnipeg Police Service, Kara HUFFMAN #2269, was involved in an off-duty motor vehicle collision just outside of Sudbury, Ontario on Monday, January 28, 2013. Tragically, she passed away due to her injuries at the age of 34. Kara was a member of WPS Recruit Class #134 and remained with the Winnipeg Police Service until her resignation in 2004 at which time she became a Provincial Constable with the Ontario Provincial Police to be closer to her family. Recently, Kara had been assigned to work out of the Sudbury (Espanola) Detachment. Kara and her husband Chris BOUILLON of 3 years had also recently moved to live in Espanola, ON with their 2 young daughters, Raya (2 1/2 years old) and Paige (15 months).



I had the honour of attending Ontario to represent the Winnipeg Police Service as an officer and a friend for the service to celebrate Kara's life on Friday, February 1. I also spent time with Kara's husband Chris, their 2 adorable daughter's Raya and Paige, as well as other immediate and extended family. Although the OPP lost one of their own, they went out of their way to make sure I was always taken care of and that the needs of the family were being met at all times. It is clear that members of the OPP are also grieving, and continue to do so, at the loss of a colleague and very dear friend.


For those of us that had the opportunity and honour of knowing Kara, we will always remember her as a vibrant and energetic person with an infectious laugh (and that unruly curly blonde hair) who always had a smile on her face. She was more than willing to help out a friend or colleague in need at any time of day or night even if she lived hundreds of miles away! There were countless officers, friends and family who attended the celebration of Kara's life. Even though she was only with us for a short time in this life, Kara has made a monumental impact on the lives of many people.....and we are so very grateful to her for that!


If desired, donations to the Trust Fund set up for Raya and Paige, would be sincerely appreciated by the family. The information below is what is required to make a donation to the Trust Fund which has been set up at the Royal Bank of Canada. Please contact me with any questions you may have and thank you in advance on behalf of the HUFFMAN-BOUILLON family.


The "Kara June Huffman-Bouillon Trust Fund" at the Royal Bank of Canada.