Memories of Lexington

Another 1,900 kilometers and 23 hours and my fellow travellers, Cheryl and Andree, and I are safely back in Winnipeg. OH..by the way...did I remind you that Winnipeg will be host to the 2014 IAWP Annual Training Conference?! Cheryl, Andree and I were busy planning during our road trip and have lots to report back to our agencies and the rest of conference bid committee.

For now I would like to share just a few of the memories I have from Lexington.

Constable Yena Wong (far right in blue uniform) with new friends at the Annual IAWP Awards Luncheon. Yena, who is an officer with the Edmonton Police Service, is one of the Beverly Mclean Legacy Fund winners for 2011. When I spoke with Yena on the last day, she assured me she loved the conference and will be back again soon. However, this coming week, she is on her way to New York to participate in the World Police Fire Games. Good luck Yena!

Corporal Rhonda Seitz (left) and Constable Deanna Alford (right) pose after the awards lunch. Deanna is also a recipient of the Beverly McLean Legacy Fund for 2011. Deanna was busy at this conference taking in as much of the experience as she could. She and I crossed paths at many training sessions and she has even volunteered to assist with the revision of the IAWP Conference policy.

My new UN SAT friends Monica (left) and Kate (right) take a break in between testing procedures. Both passed the test with flying colors so I hope to see them back soon at an IAWP Conference as part of the UN Blue Beret Delegation!

Corporal Rhonda Seitz (left) and Constable Cynthia Buglass (right) at the awards luncheon. Cynthia is has taken in every IAWP Conference since 2000 in Toronto and always looks forward to visiting with old friend and making new ones. She is also a key player on TEAM WINNIPEG 2014.

Rhonda (seated left) and Vanessa (seated right) pose with two of our first visitors at the WINNIPEG 2104 booth. Anyone look familiar? Constable Rob Duttchen (standing left) of the Winnipeg Police Service and Paul Brown (standing right), who is retired from the Winnipeg Police Service, have been presenting at the past three IAWP Annual Training Conferences on the topic of Characteristics of Armed Persons. I sat in on the lecture last year in Minneapolis and can attest to the popularity of their presentation.

Region 3 Coordinator Donna Saucier (left), IAWP Chaplain Tamia Dow (center), and I had a brief time to chat and pose for a picture just before the start of the Parade of Nations.

Congratulations once again to the conference committee and the volunteers. Your hospitality and hard work will be remembered for a long time. Lexington is beautiful city!

Live from Lexington

Sorry folks....I am at least a day behind. That is because it has been so busy with so many good training session to attend and many more wonderful events to take in.

For example, yesterday afternoon we enjoyed another amazing IAWP Awards Luncheon. Congratulations to all award winners.




Sergeant Cheryl Larson, Constable Cynthia Buglass, Constable Rhonda Seitz, Constable Andree Huberdeau, Staff Gay Jones, Detective Sergeant Sandra Martin, Constable Jacque Lawford, Vanessa Chopyk, Sergeant Lisa Mandziak (from Left to Right) just after the awards luncheon.


Now...on to our big news! After a year of hard work Winnipeg 2014 has become a reality. The IAWP 2014 Conference bid team...aka TEAM WINNIPEG 2014 was successful in securing the IAWP Annual Training Conference for 2014. We can't wait to host all you in Winnipeg.

Vanessa Chopyk, Andree Huberdeau, Cheryl Larson, Rhonda Seitz (from Left to Right) at the start of the IAWP AGM. If you enjoyed the Maple Leafs check out our future conference booths for more treats like that.

Historic Connections with UN Police

One of the other things (beside promoting the 2014 Conference Bid) that has kept me busy was the UN SAT for international police peacekeeping missions. This is conference has seen the first all female SAT program.

After passing three language tests on Monday afternoon, I was allowed to proceed to the driving and shooting test early this morning. The photo above is me just about to start off for the first of two driving tests. Although it has been quite some time since I drove a standard transmission, I faired OK on the obstacle course. I then went on to pass my road test.

Passing the road test allowed all of the participants the opportunity to proceed to the next step. All of the applicants were required to field strip a Glock pistol and then reassemble it. IAWP Medal of Valor winner, Constable Kate Peplow showed exceptional skill in this area and was asked to demonstrate the test for local media.

For further details on the UN testing you will have to check out our next issue of Women Police. I will confirm that at this point in time I am not going to join a UN mission...but maybe sometime in the future. However, it was a very interesting experience.

It is hard to believe the week is almost over. All that is left the packing and farewells..until next year at this time.

Live from Lexington

The United Nations has played a significant role in making this an historic conference. It is truly remarkable to see the women police peacekeepers taking part in the parade, opening ceremonies and training sessions.

During the opening plenary session, Commissioner Ann-Marie Orler spoke of the monumental steps made by women during police peacekeeping missions. She is an inspiring speaker.

After the plenary session yesterday morning, I had an opportunity to meet and congratulate the very first recipient of the IAWP International Female Peacekeeper Award. Congratulations to Deputy Superintendent Shahzadi Gulfam of the Pakistan Police on her award. She is photographed here with IAWP Chaplain Tamia Dow.

LIve from Lexington

Wow...time flies by when you are having fun. And like every other IAWP Training Conference before, it has been lots of fun here in Lexington. Job well done to the Conference Committee!

But also like other conference, it is not all fun here. The training sessions are sure to offer many new insights and learning for everyone in attendance.

Constable Andree Huberdeau, one of TEAM WINNIPEG 2014, was seated in the audience early in the morning to here remarks during the opening plenary session.

Later in the afternoon, just after TEAM WINNIPEG 2014 set up shop to highlight all that we will offer in Winnipeg and Manitoba during the conference in 2014.

Live from Lexington - Parade Day

Breakfast before the opening Parade

The day started off...and stayed...hot and humid. But that did not dissuade the enthusiasm and energy at the Annual Parade of Nations. Following the parade, the opening ceremonies took place at the Lexington Opera House.

The days events continued in the afternoon with the Board of Directors attending a reception to commemorate the UN Police Peacekeepers Women's Network while conference delegates enjoyed an afternoon at the Kentucky Proud meet and greet.

There is no shortage of entertainment and hospitality here in Lexington. Tonight is no exception with the evening hospitality suite open right now as I type. The week is shaping up to be one great day after another.

More to report to you tomorrow....

Live from Leington

While the conference has not officially opened, it is actually day 2 of work for the IAWP Board of Directors/Trustees. And what a full agenda it was.....

Several items from the meeting agenda were tabled until today. I will not go into full detail as most of that will be discussed at Region meetings on Tuesday and the AGM on Wednesday. Even after a full day of meeting, the Board still made time for a some strategic planning led by our very own Region 12 member, IAWP First Vice President Margaret Shorter. I will provide you with some further insight on that tomorrow.

For me, today was very exciting. This morning, several members of TEAM WINNIPEG 2014 attended the Board of Directors/Trustee Meeting to present a bid to host the 52nd Annual Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 2014.

Team Winnipeg 2014 waits in the wings to present their bid.

Team Winnipeg 2014 was a big hit with their very fashionable Canadian scarves.



Constable Andree Huberdeau speaks about the importance of French Language programming in the 2014 Bid.

Team Winnipeg responds to questions about their bid for 2014.

At the end of the presentation, we were pleased to be informed that our bid had met the standards of policy 10 (IAWP Conference Policy) and so was approved to proceed for a vote at the Annual General Meeting. We hope that you will take some time before then to visit us at our booth during the conference trade show.

Well...another full day ended with wonderful time meeting and chatting with old and new friends at the first of several Lexington hospitality nights. Time for some sleep ....in anticipation of my one of my favorite IAWP events tomorrow...the annual Parade of Nations and Opening Ceremonies. I know it is going to be another great parade!

Good night from Lexington.

Live from Lexington

It's here...the 49th Annual International Association of Women Police Conference...in beuatiful bluegrass country.

We (me and two fellow members of TEAM WINNIPEG 2014) started off early Wednesday morning to head south. After fuelling up with our Canadian fav...Tim Hortons coffee...we were on our way. 1,900 kilometers and 23 hours later we arrived at the Hilton Downtown in Lexington, Kentucky.

After a quick breakfast and short nap to restore our energy levels, we headed out to explore downtown Lexington. We discovered this a city full of fabulous historic buildings and lots of activity.

Today, Friday, August 19, the Board of Directors work got underway at the late (AKA Fall) board meeting. We got through a full day of discussion on day one with lots more to follow tomorrow. Over the past two years of my work on this board, I have been amazed at the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes, both at a conference and with the Board of Directors/Trustees. I am also continually amazed at the energy and dedication that my fellow board members bring to the table (and it is a big table this meeting!).

Now...about TEAM WINNIPEG 2014. We are very excited to be in Lexington this year to present at bid to host the IAWP Conference in 2014. Over the next few day I will introduce you to each of these women and tell you a bit more about our bid.

I will also fill you in about all of the great events going on this week. At this point I will start by simply saying JOB WELL DONE TO THE LEXINGTON CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS!! This is going to be another fabulous IAWP event.