Why do we do the things we do?

Do you ever stop to consider why you got involved in something?  I have given several presentations over the past month regarding the IAWP 2014 conference and when I pause to analyze the basic premise I am putting forth to the crowd, "why am are we doing this?" becomes the logical framework.  My most recent presentation to the Winnipeg Police Service Senior Managers Group is a great example.

When a small group of officers first proposed hosting the IAWP 2014 conference in Winnipeg we highlighted the fact that Canadian women, in fact Canadian police women, are afforded all the rights and privileges of male officers.  Pretty straight forward in our context but consider that 4 police women have been killed this year in Afghanistan...simply because they are women doing a "man's job".  Or consider that there are still Island nations in the southern hemisphere that provide training to male officers but not the female officers.  Neither scenario is acceptable in this country.  The rationale to host the IAWP 2014 conference became a celebration of all the rights and freedoms we, myself and all my law enforcement colleagues, enjoy in Canada.

The rational to host the conference also became focused on leadership we take pride in as a country.  We have great training, practices and protocols in Canadian law enforcement that we wanted to share with the world.  The training program has focused on case studies and innovative training tools to showcase the best this country has to offer.  The Program Committee has woven best practices and innovation from other countries as well all intended to highlight the role of police officers as defenders of rights and freedoms no matter which continent you work. 

In the context of being a female officer, with 20 years of service, I have seen significant changes in the role of women police.  We continue to make strides in all areas of policing.  However, we also wanted to ensure that we make the path to a career in law enforcement is ease for those who follow us to travel and that the movement forward continues many years into the future.  The Future Women in Law Enforcement program was created to pave that path.

I have some personal reasons for doing this work though.  I am proud of the IAWP and all the work the organization has done to connect women police with training, mentoring and support.  I am proud of the City of Winnipeg and all that is changing on our landscape.  That seemed a pretty good combination to show IAWP this great city and show Winnipeg all that IAWP has to offer  It was enough inspiration for at least 100 volunteers to work on the various planning committees.  The three original partner agencies, Winnipeg Police Service, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Brandon Police Service have been joined by volunteers from Canadian Boarder Services Agency, Correctional Service of Canada and community volunteers.

Tomorrow marks the start of the 100 day countdown to IAWP 2014, marked by the Parade of Nations, MACP Memorial Service and Opening Ceremony.   IAWP 2014 is hosting a Volunteer Pep Rally for one final group message to explain "why we do the things we do" on behalf of IAWP. 

For further information on the program agenda, Future Women in Law Enforcement or highlights of special events, please continue to check back on the conference website at www.iawp2014.org