Happy New Year!

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday season. May 2010 find you healthy and happy in work and home life.

The year is off to a cold start here on the prairies. Morning lows in Winnipeg this past week were sitting at a frigid -29 degrees (without the wind chill!). That makes for pretty tough work conditions for officers who work out doors, like those who have been assigned to crowd control and escort duties associated with the Olympic Torch Relay. Several officers told me that as the torch made its way through Manitoba this week, the large energetic crowds and the excitement of the Olympics helped to make the cold bearable for everyone.

The Olympic Torch Relay has now crossed into Saskatchewan and will be in North Battleford on Janaury 12th. I will have an update and photographs from that event from IAWP Member, Corporal Gertrude Maxwell.

Winnipeg Police Service 6th Annual Cops for Cancer Half Marathon

WPS Deputy Chief Hart and Inspector Stephanson

For all you running enthusiasts, the Winnipeg Police Service 6th Annual Cops for Cancer Half Marathon has just kicked off. For more information on the running route, entrance fees and prizes please log onto http://www.wpshalfmarathon.ca/ <http://wpssvpemb2/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.wpshalfmarathon.ca/> .

Last year, IAWP Region 12 member, Deputy Chief Shelley Hart teamed up with WPS Inspector Allison Stephanson for the popular two person relay event at the Cops for Cancer Half Marathon. Last year was Deputy Chief Hart's first time at the event and she tells me that she has continued her training with the intention to take part in the event again this year. All net proceeds from this event are directed to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Unfortunately I am NOT a running enthusiast. However, I am an avid supporter of this event as a volunteer so any IAWP members who travel to Winnipeg will find me somewhere along the route, cheering you on and marshalling runners and traffic.

Olympic Fever is building!

As I began to outline on my post New Year's eve, the IAWP will have a significant presence at the Olympics. Members from Region 12 as well as Region 11 will be attending to the games to work on the security services. I contacted IAWP Region 11 Coordinator, Deputy Chief Leanne Fitch and we hope to combine efforts and post news, stories and photos from all IAWP members in Canada. Starting next week, the blog will have a distinct Olympic theme!

Stay warm and be safe.