Followers

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Congratulations!

Hello again! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer, so far. Congratulations are in order for Region 10 member, Ellen Kirschman. The Public Safety Writers Association awarded her book, "I Love a Cop: What Police Families Need to Know" 1st Prize during their recent awards presentations, along with the Grand Prize OVERALL in their non-fiction category!!

In addition, Ellen has written a book of fiction that, as of yet, is unpublished, titled "Burying Ben." The story is about a young rookie officer who kills himself, and his anguished psychologist must uncover why he committed suicide, and why he left a note blaming her. The book sounds like it's going to be another amazing book, and apparently, the Public Safety Writers Association thought so, as well, as Ellen won 1st Prize in the Unpublished Category for the book, as well! What a fantastic honor for someone who has supported law enforcement officers for years! Congratulations, Ellen; you deserve it, and thanks again for all the support you have given to all of us in law enforcement officers over the years.

For those who have never read Ellen's book, "I Love a Cop," I HIGHLY recommend it, not only for those of you in law enforcement, but also for your family members. I guarantee you it will be money worth spending (and, it's a tax write-off for you, to boot!)

Also, congratulations are in order for Caroline Serrato from the Hillsborough Police Department in California; Caroline was just promoted to Captain! Good luck in your new position; I know you'll be great in it!

If anyone has any news to share that you think would be of interest to members in the Region, please let me know, and I'll be happy to share it with everyone on the blog. Also, if you have any recommendations on books to read that would benefit those of us in the profession, please e-mail them to me at RLM2214A@aol.com, and I'll add a suggested reading list on the blog.

Thanks, and stay safe.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Conference time and training time!

Greetings one and all. I hope everyone had a safe 4th of July and you're enjoying the summer.

I'd like to welcome Major Moana Heu from the Honolulu Police Department as a new member to the IAWP, as well as to send a thank you out to retired Lieutenant Susanne Hackett from the Minnesota State Patrol, who now lives in the Region, for renewing her membership. Good to have you both as members of Region 10!

There's still time to make arrangements to attend this year's training conference, that will be held in Lexington, Kentucky next month. If you go onto the IAWP website at www.iawp.org and check out the 2011 conference, you'll see just what an outstanding program the conference committee has awaiting us, and all the details you'll need to know to attend. The training is going to be outstanding, the accommodations are affordable, and the networking opportunities that you'll have with law enforcement members from around the country and around the world will be priceless!

If you haven't attended an IAWP Conference before, I can tell you that it will be one of the most powerful experiences you'll ever have in your career, and it is well worth the time and money to attend. I know that many agencies and departments just do not have funds available right now to send their members away for training, but I urge you not to let that stop you. Departments may be willing to "detail you to training," especially if you're willing to pay your own way, which will help save you some vacation time, will give you some excellent training and to be able to bring it back to your own agencies to share, and it's a fantastic tax write-off, to boot! Even if you can't get detailed and you have to use your own time, I can assure you it will be worth using your own time to go. I hope to see many of you from the Region there!

Calibre Press is hosting a Leadership Tactics course that is exclusive for command staff and supervisors August 10-11, 2011 at the Sunnyvale Police Department Training Facility in Sunnyvale, California. Tuition is $395.00. This intensive course will help you develop and refine your leadership and supervisory skills, guiding you to not only lead, but to implement change, even when met with resistance and hostility. The course will help you examine your own leadership qualities and personal leadership style and ultimately make a significant impact on your organizational culture. To register, please contact Megan Graavley at 1-800-323-0037, extension 5163, or by e-mail at megan.gravley@calibrepress.com. Hotel information for the training can be obtained on the Calibre Press website at www.calibrepress.com. The seminar only has a maximum capacity of 30 seats for command staff and supervisors, so contact Megan if you're interested in attending to reserve your spot. Make sure you let her know you are an IAWP member and a 15% discount will be available for you!

Finally, make sure you "SAVE THE DATE" for the 6th Annual Women Leaders in Law Enforcement Training Symposium (WLLE) that will be held at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose on November 13-15, 2011. This has fast become THE premiere law enforcement training in the State, and attendees numbering 500-600 are the norm and not the exception! This year's programming features dynamic Plenary Sessions by Gordon Graham, Sergeant Betsy Branter-Smith, and Iraqi War Veteran and Paralympian Melissa Stockwell, along with a number of other training sessions, Cross Fit workouts and more! Also, back this year by popular demand is not one, but two sessions of "Speed Coaching" in which attendees have the opportunity to interact with chief officers, second-in-commands, and civilian managers from various agencies throughout California.

Check out their website at www.wlle.net for detailed information on the training, hotel, and everything you need to know to get the most out of this fantastic training. Although most of the attendees are from California, the training is open to all law enforcement officers from all agencies and ranks, as well as civilian employees, from any state or country. The Symposium sells out every year, so don't wait too long to register!

Take care and stay safe! And, don't forget . . . if you have any issues, concerns, or comments that you would like me to bring forward for you to the organization's Board of Directors meeting prior to the start of the conference in Lexington, please send them my way to my e-mail address at RLM2214A@aol.com.