What's Happening !

As we move into the month of March, many of us are looking forward to spring !  The winter months in western and northern Canada can be long and cold. Our women police officers continue to work in all kinds of conditions keeping our communities safe.

I wanted to acknowledge some of the accomplishments of two dedicated members:



Cst Linda Malcolm of Vancouver Police Department received her 35 year Exemplary Service Medal

from Chief Adam Palmer in January 2017

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Marianne Ryan set to retire in March 2017

 after 35 years of dedicated service

On February 22nd, police agencies across Canada supported the anti-bullying campaign, Pink Shirt Day in taking a stand against all forms of bullying in our communities.  Hats off to all who participated !

RCMP in British Columbia

Winnipeg Police Service

 

And for a final note of inspiration, a two women officers from Saskatoon Police Service police officers attended their local girl guide chapter and were surprised by the response they received.   Just a reminder to all of us that wear the uniform, we make a difference every day!

Thank you note on Twitter from Girl Guides in Saskatoon

 

Welcome to 2017 !

As we say good by to 2016, I wanted to reflect on the many events that have occurred in our Region and across Canada.  I want to commend all who work in law enforcement as working in our chosen profession is challenging but also very rewarding.  I want to highlight some of those positive things our members do everyday.

 

2016 was a centennial year for women police officers from two major police forces in Canada, the Montreal Police Service and the Winnipeg Police Service.  In 1916, women police officers joined the ranks along side their male counterparts with pride. The roles of those first women officers were very different than of today's modern policewomen but what remains a constant is the underline commitment  to keep our communities safe.  

 

Throughout 2016, the Winnipeg Police Service Police Women's Network hosted various events to recognize a "century of women in blue". To end 2016 on a high note, the Honorable Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba Janice Filmon opened her home to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women police officers on December 8th, 2016.   IAWP President Margaret Shorter joined us in Winnipeg to celebrate our centennial.  It was a beautiful evening that brought together many current and retired women members sharing their stories and celebrating  their accomplishments.  

 

Women of the Winnipeg Police Service
&  IAWP President Margaret Shorter

 

 

Winnipeg Police Service Supt Pilcher
 Honourable Lt Governor of Manitoba Janice Filmon

 

Many milestones were recognized across western/northern Canada and I would like to congratulate all who achieved personal and professional milestones.   Here are just a few of the many milestones:



 

Regina Police Service Supt Morin
30 year Exemplary Service Medal
December 2016


Vancouver Police Department members Exemplary Service Medals
Honourable Lt Governor of British Columbia Judith Guichon
November 2016



Winnipeg Police Service Patrol Sgt Turner
IAWP 2016 Leadership Award
October 2016

 

I would like to also recognize the great work that many are doing out in their communities. Everyday actions that are making the difference; being in our communities and celebrating events

 

Moose Jaw Police Service
 Car Seat Safety Inspections
December 2016





Career Day events promoting women officers working in
Emergency Services in Saskatchewan
November 2016

 

Regina Police Service
National Teen Driver Safety Week
October 2016

Pride Celebrations in Alberta
RCMP Deputy Commissioner Marianne Ryan 
July 2016

Pride Celebrations - Edmonton Police Service
July 2016

Women officers of Vancouver Police Department
Summer 2016

RCMP members at Juno Awards in Calgary
April 2016

Winnipeg Police Service
Anti-Bulling Campaign - Wear Pink Day
February 2016

RCMP Alberta - Anti-Bullying Campaign

RCMP Yukon - Whitehorse
February 2016

To those who are interested in this year's IAWP training conference in Cairns, Australia, please do not hesitate to reach out to the organizing committee.  The chosen theme “Global Networks: Local Law Enforcement” was selected to highlight the importance of partnerships and celebrate the cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the community around the globe.  Please visit their website at http://2017iwlec.com.au/ for complete details.  Conference is from September 17 to 21, 2017 - hope to see some of you there!

 



For those who won't be able to attend Cairns, you will be happy to know that IAWP 2018 training conference will be held in Calgary, Alberta from August 26-30, 2018.  IAWP 2018 conference is being hosted by the Calgary Police Service.  For anyone that has been to Calgary in the summer, it is a great time to see Alberta so please save the date in 2018.

Starting January 1st, 2017 nominations are open for the IAWP Awards of Excellence.  New in 2017, is an  award to recognize a male officer or civilian employed by a law enforcement agency or police force, who has made a significant contribution and commitment to the advancement of women in policing. The IAWP recognizes the important role men play in improving policing for women officers and/or civilian employees, such as implementing employment policies and practices, recruitment or training in order to redress gender discrimination, or the active advancement of women in policing.  

Please have a look at the IAWP website to review the many categories and please do not hesitate to contact me to assist you in preparing your nomination. 

I encourage all our members to send me information about the many activities going on in our Region. As well, a reminder that IAWP's quarterly magazine called WomenPolice is always looking for articles and ideas to share with our colleagues from around the world.
 

I look forward to working with all of you in the future. All the best in 2017!

Happy New Year - 2016 is Here!

Hello everyone - I'd like to introduce myself, I'm Sgt Lisa Mandziak and I am your Region 12 Coordinator.   I have been active with IAWP for many years and  I look forward to representing Region 12 along with sharing the stories of our Region.

As we are closing the 100th year of IAWP, I would like to reflect on the many accomplishments of everyone with the. IAWP family.  Congratulations to all who achieved personal and professional milestones in 2015.

Presentation of Letter from Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper recognizing 100th Anniversary of IAWP in Cardiff 2015

I would like to encourage our members to send me information about the many activities going on in our Region and a reminder that IAWP's quarterly magazine- WomenPolice is also was looking for articles and ideas to share with our colleagues from around the world.  

As well, starting January1st, 2016 - nominations open for the IAWP Awards. Please have a look at the IAWP website  to review the many categories and please do not hesitate to contact me to assist you in preparing your nomination. 

I look forward to working with all of you in the future. All the best in 2016! 

Final message from Sandra

Hi Region 12.  This will be my final message as your Regional Coordinator.  As of the end of the IAWP 2015 Conference, Sergeant Lisa Mandziak was acclaimed as the new Region 12 Coordinator.  Lisa has been travelling to conferences and board meetings for the past several years and will be a great representative for us.

I am honoured to take on a new role with the board as Third Vice President. 

Congratulations to past Region 12 Coordinator...and past First Vice President...Margaret Shorter who is our new President for IAWP.  Margaret

Also ....huge congratulations to Calgary Police who will be IAWP 2018.  Go Region 12!  I think this will make us the Region to have hosted the most conferences.

Check back soon for the updates from Lisa!

Happy February!

 

Beautiful downtown Vancouver on a serene Sunday evening over Christmas break.

 

 

February is upon us and it is only a few weeks until IAWP launches another ground breaking event.  To celebrate 100 years, the IAWP board will come together for four (4) days of meetings instead of our usual two (2).  Two full days will be devoted to strategic planning ...setting the course for the organization and another 100 years!  The two days of strategic planning will be followed by the usual two meeting for the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees.  It will be a fun but very busy week. 

 

Be sure to check back on the website for further updates.

 

Until next time....

 

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.  Nothing can be done without hope and confidence."

Helen Keller

Congratulations IAWP! 100 years young!

 

In 2015 let's resolve to do much together! 

Hey Winnipeg...are you ready for IAWP 2014?

 

It all starts here in one week time!  IAWP 2014 will open with our traditional Parade of Nations, hosted this year in conjunction with the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police Memorial Day Service.  Thank you very much to all of those people who work at the Legislative Building to assist us with the preparation.

 

So Winnipeg...are you ready for all that IAWP brings to the city?  To borrow a great idea from our friends at the Winnipeg Free Press here is a glimpse of the IAWP 2014 by the numbers:

 

620 delegates (and will likely still grow) will attend

51 countries will be represented

6 agencies have worked to make this a reality, including the Winnipeg Police Service, Royal Canadian Mounted Police D Division, Brandon Police Service, Correctional Service of Canada, Canadian Boarder Service Agency, and Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba

112 Future Women in Law Enforcement Delegates

560 Twitter Followers @IAWP2014

25 Sponsors

61 Speakers

6 venues around the city (not including tours outside of the city for companions)

2 Volunteer Orientation sessions

Over 100 volunteers

40 months total of planning and meetings

 

This is the largest gathering of law enforcement in this city to date.  We hope that you are prepared to welcome IAWP 2014...because they are excited to be here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

IAWP 2014 Volunteer Orientation

There are 40 months of planning that have gone into the IAWP 2014 Conference.  But all of that work still requires additional hands to make the conference week a success. 

 

I was blow away this morning when I walked into the Fort Garry Hotel and saw a full rooms of new faces willing and eager to hear about the various duties for volunteers.  It was a great volunteer orientation session planned by our IAWP 2014 Volunteer Coordinator, Connie Johansson (featured below).

 

 

Connie and her committee have been working furiously over the last two months to take all of the plans from the program committee, special events and logistics, and put ensure a volunteer is assigned to each task.

 

Thanks once again to Peerless Garments for providing shirts for all volunteers.  Watch for these shirts during the conference week if you require assistance or have questions about Winnipeg.

 

As the orientation session wrapped up, volunteers tried on t-shirts and checked over the schedule for final arrangements.

 

Thanks also to Tourism Winnipeg for the great information on how to assist and guide delegates and visitors to our beautiful city.

 

See you all in 16 days!

IAWP 2014 is near...

I have to admit I was shocked to read that my last post was at 59 days.  It is now 38 days to go so definitely time to update you on the plans for IAWP 2014.

We just go our final approval for the Parade of Nations on Sunday, September 28.  A great big thank you to a few other City of Winnipeg departments who will be lending a hand that day...it takes a great effort by a number of departments to get that done. 

Remember that the Parade of Nations is going to be held on the same Sunday as the National Police Memorial.  Here in Manitoba that service is hosted by the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police and we are a partner is this event.  I fully expect that our IAWP 2014 and MACP Parade and service will be the second largest in the county behind the service in Ottawa.  Be sure to check to see if we are.

We continue to grow our number of volunteers and will be hosting two volunteer orientation days. Once again a huge THANK YOU to Peerless Garments, volunteer sponsor for IAWP 2014.  Can't say enough good things about this company so be sure to visit their booth at the Trade Show.

Speaking of Trade Show...we have one or two booth left.  If you know of a company or vendor who may be interested please touch base with me at iawp2014@winnipeg.ca 

I will be back soon for an updated country count.  We are at 29 and hope to reach over 50 by Opening Day. 

See you in 38 days.


 

Beautiful Manitoba Morning

It is another great Manitoba Morning with only 59 days to go until IAWP 2014 begins. 

 

A few years back I posted some winter scene photos and told you all that I was lucky to have an office inside of the amazing Assiniboine Park Zoo.  Well...IAWP 2014 is lucky to be back in those offices so these scenes are just around the corner from us.  I thought I would show you some summer scenes. 

 

 

I have been trying to show you some of the spectacular scenery around Winnipeg over the last few blogs.  There are so many great things happening in our city and this is just one example of fabulous places to visit.

 

 

 

By the way....you will get an opportunity to see Assiniboine Park on Monday, September 29 when we take you all on a "Journey to Churchill" inside of the park. 

 

Remember to register now if you have not already done so!  Check us out at www.iawp2014.org

 

Around the Manitoba Legislative Building

 

I had a few extra minutes on Friday to take some time and walk around the beautiful ground of the Manitoba Legislative Building.  As I came upon this statue, which is one of many around the area, I was reminded once again of the role that Canadian women have played in advancing Human Rights. 

 

This statue of the "Famous Five" is located on the west side of the Legislative grounds.  I encourage you to take some time to visit this statue and to read more about this amazing story of five Canadian women who fought for the basic right to be recognized as a "person".  

 

 

 

 

 

Of the "Famous Five", Nellie McLung was raised in Manitoba and featured standing at the back of this group.  The photo below provides reference for each of the women featured in the statue. 

 

 

 

I have included a link to provide you with further references to the "Famous Five" and the "Persons Case". 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nellie_McClung

 

Only 9 weeks, or 63 days until you can visit Winnipeg and see this statue for yourself.  Be sure to register soon!

How do you plan a parade?

Well ... you start at the beginning.  Today was a great day for a walk along the parade route starting here at the corner of Fort Street and Assiniboine Avenue.  It may not mean much to  you now but in only 75 days you will be familiar with Winnipeg and this intersection, just south of the Hotel Fort Garry.

 

 

Speaking of the Hotel Fort Garry...you will march right on by the hotel on your way to the Opening Ceremony.  This hotel has just as much majesty on the inside as it does outside.  (And have I mentioned there is a Spa too?!)

 

Genie was strolling along behind the group taking careful notes...like she has for the past three years.  This is Broadway Avenue near the front of the Manitoba Legislative Building.

 

Genie and I stopped to show off some IAWP 2014 wear.  Soon enough you will be able to purchase your conference shirt.  This is only one of a few version of shirts you can choose. 

 

Now this will be the end point, a view from the front doors of the Manitoba Legislative Building.  I can't give away all the secrets so you will have to see it for yourself this fall. 

 

So to plan a parade you take several friends from the planning committee (most of the others are camera shy so I can't show their faces) and you walk the route, taking notes, talking over potential glitches and mostly hope that the fabulous weather we had today holds out until September 28! 

 

See you all in 75 days!

Your "Journey" begins in 86 days!

There will be lots to see and do when you arrive in Winnipeg for the IAWP 2014 Conference.  Winnipeg's newest attraction, Journey to Churchill, is sure to be one of your highlights!


http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/bear-y-nice-265791381.html


On Monday, September 29, IAWP 2014 will host a hospitality night at the Assiniboine Park Zoo which features the new Journey to Churchill exhibit.  IAWP 2014 is going to get a preview very soon to ensure all runs smooth for the main event.


Watch our Twitter feed for more updates!

Happy Canada Day!

Canada Day 2014 happens to also be Day 89 in the 100 day countdown to IAWP 2014.  Celebrations are happening all over Winnipeg, including the Assiniboine Park, The Forks, and in Osborne Village.  I mention these areas specifically because when you travel to the conference you will either get a chance to see these places as part of the conference package or you are close enough to wander on your own and explore them.

If you have not already done so I encourage you to register.  You won't want to miss the conference.

100 days and counting...

Friday June 20th marked 100 days to the start of IAWP 2014... our Parade of Nations!

 

We brought attention to the countdown in the morning by presenting an overview to the local media. 

 

 

 

The afternoon was marked by a Volunteer Pep Rally.  We began planning for the conference in October 2010 and lots has changed and developed over that time span.  It made perfect sense to recruit volunteers by providing a new wave of volunteers with the updated agenda. 

 

Featured below is me (right) and Connie Johansson, Volunteer Coordinator for IAWP 2014.  We are both modeling t-shirt that will be available for sale during the conference.

 

A crowd of potential volunteers listen as Program Chair, Joanne Keeping, provides an update on the conference speakers. 

 

 

And finally...you can tell our Pep Rally plan worked as several people filled out forms and stepped forward to help make the conference a huge success.

 

We are now at 97 days and counting...

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

Are you getting curious about Winnipeg?

 

I was out and about in Winnipeg yesterday and thought it you may like to see some of the city.  Well...this is not the entire city but areas that you will become familiar with when you attend IAWP 2014 this September.

 

It was a sunny 15 degrees Celsius yesterday.  A great day for a walk and a great opportunity for me to snap some pictures for you.

 

 The historic Hotel Fort Garry is the main venue for IAWP 2014.  Be sure to check out their website...there is spa inside ladies!  I am not encouraging you to cut class but if you are interested take a look at TEN SPA to see what they have to offer.  I have tested it first hand (once or twice...lol...) and assure it is every bit of luxury they say it is.

 

 

Right beside the hotel, to the east, is the Manitoba Club. 

 

Winnipeg has it's own Union Station just like New York.  The main rail line for Winnipeg is located one block from the hotel and if you enjoy the splendour of historic buildings this one should be on your list.  This is located one block east from the hotel.

 

From old to new...the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) is a majestic sight on the Winnipeg skyline.  Winnipeg is very proud to be the home of Canada's only national museum located outside of the capital city (Ottawa).  The CMHR is a very short walk from the Hotel Fort Garry and it one of the attractions you will want to take in.

 

 

Shaw Park is located kitty corner to the CMHR.  It is home to our baseball team who play in the Northern League, the Winnipeg Goldeyes.  For those of you who know Cynthia...she is a big fan of "The Fish".

 

To the south of the CMHR, Esplanade Riel, takes visitors into the French Quarter of Winnipeg.  It is another more recent example of unique architecture in our city.

 

This is just a small example of what you will see and experience in Winnipeg this fall.   The IAWP 2014 is counting down the days until we see you here!