How the time flies...

...when you are enjoying yourself!

The First Women Police Conference 2012 in Abu Dhabi wrapped up yesterday. Everyone involved in this event, organizers, sponsors, trainers and staff should be very proud of this event. This was on a level equal to any of the Annual IAWP Training Conference I have attended. And many of the Board of Directors/Board of Trustees who are here will agree with me.

I took in more excellent training sessions on Day 2. The first, as you see below, was on strategic leadership. The room was full of people and energy and we all took away good tips for our personal leadership development.



Mylan Masson (left) me and Deb Friedl (right) were seated early for the strategic leadership session so that we did not miss anything. I have enjoyed talking with Mylan this week and hearing about her previous IAWP trip to this area in 1998. This conference represents an enormous shift in opportunities for women according to Mylan.



A conference delegate (left) asks questions after the presentation. It is always a good sign that questions flow after the formal part of the session. Clearly, the learning had just begun.

The second session of the day for me was Interpol, presented by a Colonel with the Abu Dhabi Police.

Abu Dhabi is one of 190 member countries to Interpol. Interestingly, I have never previously had the opportunity to learn about Interpol so I took lots of information away from this session. For instance, Interpol maintains a DNA Gateway (database) and Abu Dhabi is the country in the middle east that is connected to it.

Margaret Shorter has also been busy this week. Not only has she taken in many sessions here, but she was assigned more formal duties such as attending government meetings. That beautiful red serge had lots of use of this week. She did enjoy more "casual" dress for Day 2 though.

CONGRATULATIONS to the Abu Dhabi Police and to the conference organizers Amnah and Steph! This was a fantastic event and I look forward to IAWP events in this area!

Abu Dhabi at night

Both photos - Emirates Palace Hotel

More alike than I knew...

I woke up this morning to discover that there has been a storm here in UAE, not unlike what happens during the winter at home. Winds were high, people were having trouble getting around and the visibility was poor. Sound like something you have seen before? The big difference here in UAE was it was not snow causing those issues, it was sand being wipped around during a seasonal sand storm. All over now and in reality the problem were more severe over in Dubai than Abu Dhabi.

The other notable similarity between here and other IAWP events is how hard the conference co-directors, Amnah and Step (below) have been working to ensure everything goes as planned. Well...at least as close to the plan as possible (as most past and present IAWP conference can atest). I can assure you that everything has been perfect!

Myra and I took time out again today to pose with various officers from the Abu Dhabi police. Many women stopped by the IAWP display to fill out membership forms and ask questions about the type of work that women in policing in Canada do. Myra will be leading a group of IAWP members in a workshop tomorrow that will cover all that. Check back here for details on that.

I was able to take in a few of the presentations here. Translation services are offered so it was quite easy to follow this Lieutenant with the Abu Dhabi police as he discussed the challenges and success of the UAE to combat Human Trafficking. There were some striking similarities to issues I hear at home. For instance, organized crime has a strong foot hold in human trafficking here just like Canada. As well, inter agency cooperation and, in fact, international cooperation is not as coordinated as it should be. This officer made the point that the criminals sometimes are more adept and adapt to conditions faster than police. True sometimes but it made me stop and think of the achievement we at IAWP have made to create international in-roads...like this conference.

Abu Dhabi is proud of the fact that they are the first Arab State to create legislation around Human Trafficking. Federal Law 51 is intended to create services as well as investigative tools to combat this crime.

I am certainly looking forward to Day 2 at the First Women Police Conference 2012 in Abu Dhabi.

Opening Ceremony ...New Horizon for Future

The First Women Police Conference 2012 in Abu Dhabi got underway today with the Opening Ceremony at the Emirates Palace Hotel. I can hardly describe the awesome sight of women police from all over the Gulf States sitting in the opulent auditorium of this hotel. It was truly breath taking. Myra (left), Margaret (right) and I (center) enjoyed every moment of this event.


Margaret was a star attraction in her beautiful red serge. Media and officers attending this event lined up to get a photograph of her. The photograph below features Margaret with women officers of the Abu Dhabi Police, who had equally beautiful uniforms.


Myra (center) and Carol Thomas (left) also took time to pose for photos with an officer from Abu Dhabi Police.

Conference Banners were displayed all over the hotel. Here, Myra and I (center) pose with conference delegates along with Donna Saucier (right) from Region 3.

Outside the Emirate Palace Hotel the view is quite spectacular. The two photos here do not do justice to the magnificant view of this location.

Today was more than photo ops though. It was about changing perceptions of the role women play in security and police operations throughout the middle east. For example, according to officials here in UAE, the establishment of the Emirate Women Police Association is considered a great achievement for all of government, not just for women. According to the President of the Emirate Women Police Association, Amnah Mohamed, efforts to empower women police demonstrate a clear vision to moderize the country.

I also learned that Jordan has over 3,000 women in policing occupying jobs in traffic, forensics, VIP security and training. Jordan was also one of the first countries to place women in UN forces to aid in peacekeeping missions.

In Oman women have served with police forces since the 1970's. Over time the number of women has increased in numbers and the same applied to the variety of duties they perform. Currently women are involved in investigations, air unit, training and Secure Forces to protect female VIPs.

As the week progresses, I look forward to expanding my own understanding of the unique culture and work experiences of these women. I can not say it enough...it is an honour to be here for this first ever conference in the United Arab Emirates.

History begins

For many members of the IAWP Board of Directors and Board of Trustees, the journey to create history began earlier this week. We have come from the UK, USA, Australia and Canada to celebrate and take part in the first Emirates Women Police Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.



I was exploring the hotel this morning and came across the conference banner. I found another tourist to snap my picture. I am honoured to be here and take part in this event and want to capture as much of it as I can for you.

IAWP Treasurer Kim Covert was also exploring the hotel.

After breakfast, Steph Harding briefed the group on protocols for the conference and reviewed the agenda. Steph has been instrumental in making this event a reality. She has advised us the women officers will be attending from Jordan, Qatar, Iraq and Oman. Abu Dhabi Police are leading efforts to improve the working conditions for all women in the Gulf States.

After our briefing, I finally had time to pose with my favorite M&Ms, Margaret and Myra. All three of us well rested and ready to take on the rest of the week here in Abu Dhabi so be sure to check back later for further updates!

Question for all of you...

Photo taken at Opening Ceremony, IAWP 2011 conference in Lexington, Kentucky

Besides the fact that officers from each police agency always have delegates at the Annual IAWP Training Conference, what do the the Winnipeg Police Service and Trinidad and Tobago Police have in common?

Both police agencies have worked under the command of Jack Ewatski. Chief Ewatski retired from the Winnipeg Police Service and left for the warmer climate of the Caribbean in 2010. He is now one of three Deputy Commissioner with the national police in T&T.

Winnipeg Winter Wonderland

It is beautiful days like today that makes me wish I could host an IAWP conference in the winter. Today our city woke up to a spectacular covering of frost on the trees that literally sparkles in the sunlight. To add to the experience we are experiencing above average seasonal temperatures so a walk outside is very pleasant. It is only -2 degrees Celsius today!

Well...if I can not bring all of our IAWP friends from warmer regions to winter, then I will do the best I can to share some of it with you with my camera.

Now to share my news with you. These pictures are taken inside of Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park. Inside of this park is the Assiniboine Park Zoo and the home to a new "Journey to Churchill Polar Bear Exhibit" that will open in 2013.

If you are planning to come to Winnipeg in 2014, this exhibit will be worth the trip!

By the way, this photo (above) is the Assiniboine Park Pavilion. And it happens to be only 500 meters from my office! I work at an office in the park! How many people could be that lucky?

Happy February everyone!