Pioneers!

As my career moves along I reflect more and more on the women who came before me.  The women who first dared to challenge stereotypes ...women can't be cops!  The women who challenged the status quo....women can't work the streets!  The women who just wanted to contribute to the welfare of our city and did so without many accolades.   These are the women I admire. 

One of those women was Helen Woollard, who was Winnipeg's first women to graduate recruit class and work a full 30 year career as a police officer.  Sadly she passed away on November 29, 2013. 

She was a true pioneer...making in roads for women like me long before I even thought about a career in policing.   Helen Woollard was a true pioneer in this city.  Rest in peace, Helen.


http://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-208489/name-Helen_Woollard/date-range-all/last-name-woollard/order-publish_date%7CDESC,last_name%7CASC,first_name%7CASC/

43 Weeks to Go!

Today marks exactly 43 weeks to the Parade of Nations and Opening Ceremonies for the 52nd Annual IAWP Training Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Our Executive Planning Committee  is working hard to ensure a full agenda for you.  First, and most importantly, our Program Committee has put together an amazing training program.  There are a few bios listed on the website but be sure to check back in early 2014 for the full agenda. 

Second, the Post Conference and Companion Tours Committee has secured tours that will take you around Manitoba and up to our beautiful north to visit the City of Churchill.  For those of you who can make the trek north, this committee has secured the new "Journey to Churchill" display at the Assiniboine Park Zoo for a evening hospitality event.  You will be able to meet Winnipeg's newest citizens, Hudson and Aurora the polar bears!

The Special Events Committee is in full gear to plan the Awards Luncheon, Parade and Opening Ceremonies.  We are thrilled to announce that the training portion of the week kicks off on Monday of the conference with a breakfast celebration to honour the 2014 International Scholarship recipient  The Keynote Address will immediately follow.    And, if you were in Durban for IAWP 2013 you know how much fun we had at Hockey Night in Canada so watch for repeat here in Winnipeg!

The Logistics Committee has kicked into high gear to work out the details for transportation and security.    And finally, the Marketing Committee (which has worked very hard on our website and registration process) is currently researching promotional items.

IAWP 2014 would like to thank the Emirates Police Women Association for the opportunity to promote Winnipeg at their conference in Abu Dhabi.  Sergeant Lisa Mandziak and Sergeant Cheryl Larson attended on behalf of the committee.

Be sure to continue checking for updates at www.iawp2014.org  If you have suggestions or require assistance in planning your conference trip, please email us at iawp2014@winnipeg.ca 

See you in 43 weeks!

Hockey Night in Canada...

...in Durban, South Africa!

 

 

 

The SAPS Jazz Band was instrumental in helping to make the IAWP 2014 Hospitality Night a smash hit!  Not only was the music fantastic but the band showed support by sporting a Team Canada shirt and helping put together nets (photo below).

 

 

Team Finland and Team Germany are always big fans for Canada.  They are featured here with a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. 

 

The Durban ICC proved to be a great venue for this event. 

 

IAWP 2013 Conference Director took part in the Honorary Face Off to mark our official 2014 street hockey game.  

 

I will let you be the judge but I think we did a pretty good job of setting up a "rink".  Leave it to crazy Canadian hockey fans to find a place to play, eh!

 

 

THANKS to all who attended to support IAWP 2014!  We promise to show you more fun like this next year so be sure to register now and mark your calendar!

 

See you in Winnipeg!

Parade Day

As always the IAWP Parade of Nations was a great event.  The weather cooperated and the parade route was lined with citizens to support us as we marched.  It was truly an amazing event.

 

 

It is hard for me to explain how large the crowd at the opening ceremonies was.  Let's put it this way...IAWP has announced 1235 delegates at this conference! 

IAWP in Durban

As of today most members of the Board of Directors have arrived in Durban.  Meetings are already planned for tonight and the entire board will begin the two meeting tomorrow at the SAPS Police Academy.

I have also seen IAWP delegates arriving and getting settled in.  In only two more days, we will begin another historic journey forward when the Parade of Nations kicks off the conference.

Today I also had a long talk with Julia Jaeger, IAWP Region 13 Coordinator and IAWP 2015 Conference Co-Director.  Based on my talks, I can guarantee that you will want be in Cardiff, Wales to take in that conference.

Speaking of conferences...have you checked out the IAWP 2014 website lately?  The online registration is now live and we have some conference updates for the conference in Winnipeg. 

Check us out at www.iawp2014.org

It is sunny and warm in Durban!

By now most delegates are making thier journey to Durban, South Africa for the IAWP 2013 Training Conference.  I am confident this is going to be another momentus occassion for IAWP. 

 

I thought I would start off by giving you a view of the hotel and conference center.  Be sure to keep checking my blog for more pictures and updates throughout the week.

 

Below is the Durban ICC (International Convention Center) where the conference training sessions will take place.  The ICC is located just outside the doors of the Hilton Hotel.

 

 

This is a view along the street alongside the ICC.

 

It appears our hosts, South African Police Service (SAPS), are busy preparing for the conference.  Yesterday and early this morning SAPS vehicles have been coming and going.  A sure sign of final preparations!

 

A view of the ICC from the Hilton Hotel.

 

For the third day in a row it is sunny and warm in Durban.  The beach is a short ten minute walk from the hotel.  I plan to enjoy the view along the board walk with my IAWP 2014 committee who have now arrived. 

 

|Only 4 days to go!

It's been an AMAZING Summer!

IAWP 2013 Approaching

Once again the summer has come and gone quickly.  I hope you have all had a chance to enjoy some vacation time...or maybe you are saving that up to head to Durban, South Africa for the IAWP 2013 Conference?  Only 16 days to go!

If you are not travelling to Durban please be sure to check back in here during the conference week (September 22-26) to see updates and photos. I promise to keep you up to date on this great event.

Until we meet in South Africa here is a snap shot of what has been going in Region 12 over the past few months...

AMAZING RACE Canada in Vancouver 

In July, the AMAZING RACE Canada started off on the west coast and took a tour through Vancouver.  Region 12 member Maureen Ing took part in this show (featured below) as a member of the Vancouver Police Lion Dance. 

The full video can be viewed on You Tube at AMAZING RACE Canada, Episode 2.

Canadian Association of Chief's of Police (CACP), Winnipeg 2013

IAWP 2014 hosted an informational booth during the two trade show at the CACP Conference which was held in Winnipeg, August 18-21, 2013.  Not only was this a great opportunity for us to promote IAWP and IAWP 2014, it proved to be a great opportunity to catch up with IAWP friends.  Chief Leanne Fitch stopped by to say hello and so did Assistant Commissioner Tracy Hardy (RCMP).

Congratulations to Deputy Chief Shelley Hart, CACP 2013 Conference Chair, and her committee for an excellent conference.

Also congratulations to Assistant Commissioner Brenda Butterworth-Carr who has taken over command of Saskatchewan and becomes one of the highest ranking RCMP women in Canada.  Brenda was in Winnipeg for the CACP conference just before her appointment took effect. 
http://nationtalk.ca/story/assembly-of-first-nations-welcomes-appointment-of-new-rcmp-commanding-officer-for-saskatchewan-brenda-butterworth-carr/

Zumba in support of IAWP 2014

IAWP 2014 hosted Zumba in the Club this past Friday, June 7 here in Winnipeg.  The event was an overwhelming success so I think that you can expect to see some of these instructors while you are here in Winnipeg for the 52nd Annual IAWP Conference.

Organizers setting up for Silent Auction

Lana Maidmont gets ready for the Zumba.  A special thanks to Lana and her crew of instructors for the donation of time and energy for this event!

And the fun begins!

Our energetic guests!  Some of these women did Zumba for over 2 hours.

A final thanks to the Zumba instructors featured here.  This was the best (and most fun) workout I had in long time. 

A very special thanks to the organizing committee.   All of your efforts are sure to help make IAWP 2014 a great event!

Be sure to check back to the IAWP homepage soon.  Our IAWP 2014 conference website is set to launch in the coming weeks.  We will have updates on our program and special events and tell you all about our plans for Durban, South Africa.  See you all soon!

Region 17 - Crime: Working toward a solution

 

Congratulations to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the T&T Policewomen Association and IAWP Region 17 members for an outstanding conference!  Delegates came from all over the Caribbean, including places like Curacao, Antigua, Barbuda, Bahamas, Nevis, and Barbados.  IAWP well represented by members from Region 16 (photo below) all the way from Abu Dhabi and Region 12 (Winnipeg).

 

 

Patsy Joseph and Ann Marie Alleyne took a short break to pose for a photo.  Both of these ladies worked tirelessly to ensure that delegates enjoyed the conference and took every opportunity to make connections with other officers. 

 

On behalf of Region 12 I would like to congratulate Ann Marie who is the first female police officer promoted to the rank of Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police.  This promotion took effect shortly after the conference.

Fabian, Step and Tamia took a rotation at the IAWP membership table where over 77 new members signed up during the two day conference.  Region 17 now boasts the largest regional membership in IAWP.  With 300 delegates at the conference, the word about the IAWP is sure to continue spreading.

 

 

IAWP Board members pose for a photo (below) before the panel presentation about IAWP membership benefits. 

 

 

The two day conference in Port of Spain wrapped up with an award ceremony to recognize the many accomplishments of women around the region.  IAWP President Jane Townsley (below right) is always pleased to take part in these ceremonies.  Here she is presenting a long service award to an officer who has dedicated 41 years to policing!

 

 

IAWP Chaplain Tamia Dow (below right) is featured with Trinidad and Tobago Police ACP Pasty Joseph with the Ann Duncan Award.  Ann's husband Roland and her niece were in the audience to take part in the award ceremony.  A proud moment for everyone involved!

 

 

I took part in several training presentations during the two conference, which included topics on prison programs for women, domestic violence, career planning and advancement, and victim based approaches to crime.  As with every other IAWP event I have attended, the discussion was lively, the learning was rich, and the connections to other women memorable!  Be sure to watch for more from Region 17...possibly an IAWP Annual Training Conference. 

 

 

Historic Trinidad and Tobago

Once again IAWP makes history.  Our meeting in T&T represents the first time the board has travelled to Region 17 as a group. 

No one is more happy to see IAWP here than Patsy Joseph (photo below).  Patsy has been instrumental in arranging the conference, Monday and Tuesday, and showing off her beautiful country.  Here Patsy gets us all ready for our tour to Pitch Lake.

One of the two tour guides at Pitch Lake, Cyril, shows off the various stages of "pitch" to IAWP board members and conference delegates.  It was a hot and interesting tour.

Later in the day, post tour of Pitch Lake, we were provided with lunch at one of the many T&T police buildings.  Many thanks to the T&T police for hosting our meetings, providing the support to our Region 17 members and to hosting the conference.  Look for further updates on the support from IAWP President Jane Townsley via her Twitter account.

Last night, actually day 2 in Trinidad for many BOD and conference delegates, the T&T Police hosted a Welcome Reception.  Acting Police Commissioner (photo below) Mervyn Richardson addressed the audience and welcomed us to the country.  In his words "the story of one police officer is the story of all police officers" and he is committed to the stories of the women police in T&T.

And of course the work of the BOD is important and the reason we are here.  Our meetings began yesterday at the T&T Police Training Academy.  This is one of the oldest and most historic buildings in the city.  It is wonderful venue for our work.

In between the formal work items, BOD members take time to discuss ongoing issues and catch up on IAWP work around the world.

Unfortunately I did not know Anne Duncan personally.  But I do know that it was her dream that IAWP visit here one day.  IAWP Region 17 Coordinator, Anne Marie, and many others (Patsy and Odette!) have worked very hard to make Anne's dream a reality.  And for that...I am once again proud to be part of that dream, the history and IAWP!

Be sure to check back for more updates

Honouring Heroes

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Joy Smith Foundation Gala in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  You may recall Joy Smith from the 50th Annual IAWP Conference in St. John's, Newfoundland where she presented on the topic of Human Trafficking.  She is a fierce advocate for victims and her foundation was established to aid in training for law enforcement, advocacy for victims, and awareness of the crimes associated to Human Trafficking.

During the gala event, Joy Smith honoured several heroes who have worked to combat this issue.  Among the Heroes was Inspector Gerry Kerr of the RCMP (Nunavut) who worked on a video depicting the impact of this crime on the victims.  Also honoured were Inspector Gord Perrier and Detective Sergeant Shawna Neufeld of the Winnipeg Police Service for their work to return two children who had been abducted and taken to Mexico.

Please see more on Joy Smith and her foundation in the article below.
http://www.joysmithfoundation.com/notices_detail.asp?notice_ID=223

Bullying

Yesterday, April 10th, I had the good fortune to be invited to attend a morning work shop on bullying in the workplace.  Here in Manitoba there have been recent changes to our Workplace Health and Safety Legislation to expand the definitions of prohibited workplace behaviours that could be considered harassment.  The second aspect of the presentation focused on work place bullying and the effects on employees and the employer (wide implications for the business or organization). 

One of the most telling bits of information that I took away from the presentation is that research indicates that at one point in time we have all most likely been bully or have been the target of the bully.    The thought that I have likely at one point been a bully jarred me.  But it gave me pause to reflect (which was the point of the workshop!) and agree that "yes" I have at time displayed behaviours which are not reflective of who I want to be as a police officer, a supervisor, or most importantly as a person. 

It takes dedicated and conscious effort to be on our best behaviour at all times.  The workshop yesterday reminded me of this.  I began my post workshop commitment to strive toward being a person who stands up against bullying by doing some online reading.  I hope you have time to read a few of the links I have provided here and make the commitment as well.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Bullying_Day

http://www.dayofpink.org/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ns-cabinet-and-public-concern-drive-call-to-reopen-case-of-bullied-teen/article11033039/

www.workplacebullying.org

www.mobbing.ca

www.pipsc.ca

Awards and Kudos

Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee year is now over but her Diamond Jubilee Awards have lived on into 2013.  Several members from the Winnipeg Police Service received a Diamond Jubilee Medal at a ceremony in February.

Congratulations to Senior Police Communications Operator Penny Kennedy, Patrol Sergeant Kathy Antymis, Constable Helen Peters and Patrol Sergeant Edith Turner for receiving this prestigious award.  These are truly outstanding women in law enforcement!

Speaking of Edith....

Congratulations to Edith Turner who has also been nominated for a 2013 YWCA Women of Distinction Award here in Winnipeg.  I will be at the May 1 Gala to cheer loud and proud when her name is called!

I also want to offer huge KUDOS to members of the IAWP 2014 Conference Committee, Lana Bouroughs and Michelle Roch, who have recently been promoted to the rank of Patrol Sergeant.  The promotions take place April 21, 2013.  Best wishes in your new roles. 

When will I be a veteran?

IAWP First Vice President Margaret Shorter posed for one last "official" photo wearing her red serge last March in Dhaka.  She is now retired from the RCMP and has embarked on the next chapter of her life by returning to university.  Below is a excerpt from a recent project.  

I had decided that June 21, 2012, would be the day I formally retired from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It was then that I began to think about being “a veteran”. I had already grappled with the association of aging with the word ‘retirement’ and I was pretty sure that veterans were even older than that. Other than my retired RCMP father, veterans had survived world wars. I could see them in my mind’s eye standing, or sitting in wheelchairs, at cenotaphs on November 11th each year on Remembrance Day —and there had never been any women in those images!


One of the earliest strategies I implemented to help me adjust to my anticipated life as an ex-member of the RCMP was to enroll in a Master’s Degree Program at Royal Roads University. I did this one year prior to my retirement date knowing that, once retired, I would be free to devote my full time to my studies in the second and final year of the Program. One of the things I enjoyed about going back to school as an adult was that it gave me complete control over what I chose to study. Moreover, at the post-graduate level, the focus is on research and one can study whatever one is interested in, curious about, or compelled to investigate. I concentrated on packing and planning the requisite “retirement party”.

As I worked my way through the paperwork toward official retirement, I began to experience some trepidation about life without my RCMP family and what it would mean to be a veteran police officer. Where were the female Mounties who had retired before me? I had nobody to ask but I did remember that one of them had written a book titled The Red Wall: A Woman in the RCMP. Its author, Jane Hall, was not only a veteran of the Force she was a member of the Vancouver Chapter of the RCMP Veterans’ Association and a member of its Board of Directors.

Jane and I met in January this year at a special veterans’ tour of the new ‘E’ Division RCMP Headquarters in Surrey, B.C. As I had learned from her book, Jane is a fundamentally positive person, fair, encouraging, and full of ideas. From the moment we connected, Jane was open to my research question on becoming a female police veteran. Our collaboration has resulted in a profile interview to be published in the Spring 2013 edition of WomenPolice magazine, the official publication of the International Association of Women Police (IAWP). An audio version of the interview can be heard on Jane’s new website, www.redwalljanehall.com. It can also be accessed from the IAWP website, www.iawp.org , and from the website of the Vancouver Chapter of the RCMP Veterans’ Association at www.rcmpveteransvancouver.com .

One of the things I have learned in life is that knowledge has more power when it is shared. Jane and I hope you enjoy our interview conversation. Going back to Depot; through the early days of women in operational policing and the changes in Canadian society; to the challenges of today’s leadership, it reflects our experiences as women in the RCMP—both as serving officers and as veterans. Please connect with others and share your thoughts.

How the times are changing



The original concept behind hosting "Forces of Fashion" on International Women's Day 2013 was that our progression as women in law enforcement can be visually illustrated by the changes in our uniforms.  You be the judge!

 

 

 

When women were originally hired into the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, it was not permitted for a woman to wear the iconic Stetson Hat.  She was issued a fur hat (held by officer on far right) or the pill box style hat featured second from the right.  Officers now (center and to the left) proudly wear the same uniforms as male officers, including the beautiful Red Serge and Stetson.

 

 

 

The Winnipeg Police Service did issue uniforms to women before some of the other police agencies in Canada.  However, working in skirt and low pump was not very practical for front line work.  It was not until 1974 that women in the WPS were given pants and the same uniforms as males.  Now we enjoy proper fitting tactical vest and street uniforms (officer on right) as male officers. 

Proud officers of the Dakota Ojiway Police Service in Manitoba are provided with uniforms for daily work (right) and for ceremonial occasions (left).  These women travelled over two hours, along with the Chief of the DOPS, Chief Paulson, to take part in the display of uniforms. 

One of my favorite and most proud IAWP moments is the Annual Parade of Nations because of the many uniforms on display.  Watching all of the law enforcement officers, federal corrections, provincial corrections, Brandon Police Service, and all the agencies named above, was a true IAWP Proud moment for me!

Please see your next copy of Women Police for further pictures of the Brandon Police Service and more about this event.

International Women's Day 2013

 

 

 

Genie Valdez, RCMP D Division and Project Manager for IAWP 2014 tweets are Forces of Fashion rehearsal takes place.  Our conference committee is fully informed on all issues thanks to Genie's diligent work at coordinating meetings and overseeing time lines.

 

The full display of uniforms from the Winnipeg Police, Brandon Police, RCMP, Federal Corrections,  and Dakota Ojibwa Police will be a site to see!  I can't give away too much just yet ... these are just some "previews" form the dress rehearsal last night.

 

Police and civilian members from all the IAWP 2014 host agencies came together as models to make this event happen.  Here, the group waits to filter out into the main area of the atrium at the University of Winnipeg Richardson Complex for Sciences.

 

 

Thank you to all our sponsors for this event:

 

The Hudson's Bay Company (Downtown)

Salon 111 (formerly Sets on Fort)

Northwest Law Enforcement Academy

Legacy Bowes Group (IAWP 2014 sponsor and advisor)

Winnipeg Police Museum

University of Winnipeg Diversity Services

Avenue 4 (Print and Marketing Sponsor IAWP 2014)

 

 

I would also like to thank many senior officers who purchased tickets for "future women in law enforcement".

 

Be sure to check back tomorrow for highlights and see your next issue of Women Police.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Condolences

Once again we are reminded how fragile life can be.  Sadly Constable Kara Huffman of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was killed, off duty, in a motor vehicle collision on January 28, 2013.  Kara began her police career here in Winnipeg but decided to move on to the OPP.

Kara leaves behind two young daughters and her husband.  She will be missed by her friends and colleagues with both OPP and WPS.

Please keep the family in your thoughts during these difficult times.