Hello again, and Happy Spring! Spring is my absolute favorite season of the year! After growing up in Chicago, spring meant that you had survived yet another one of Chicago's infamous winters! I love that fresh, clean smell in the air after a gentle spring rain, and watching in anticipation as the flowers and trees came alive again! At the moment, though, spring is not "coming in like a lamb"; the San Francisco Bay Area is getting hammered with rain, high winds, and even tornadoes, a rare event indeed for this part of the country, Southern California is having flooding and damage from the winds and rain, and other parts of the Region and the country are feeling the power of Mother Nature. Our hearts go out to all of those who have been affected by the extremes in the weather as Spring arrives, and especially for those who have been impacted in Japan by the terrible earthquake and tsunami that has rocked their country.
I hope that many of you were able to attend the Women's Street Survivor Seminar that was put on by Calibre Press in Las Vegas last month. All reports I've heard was that it was absolutely fantastic! I had the privilege of attending their first women's training back in the late 90's, and it was truly some of the best training I've ever attended. Betsy Brantner-Smith is the lead instructor for the training, and if you've never had an opportunity to hear her speak, keep an eye out for her coming to your area - she is a dynamic speaker, and you'll come away from the training rejuvenated and energized!
Special thanks go out to IAWP member, Bettina Aschenbrenner, the Law Enforcement Education Coordinator for the American Military University out of Manassas, Virginia. Bettina graciously donated 3 registrations for the training to the San Francisco Police Department; of the 3 who attended, 2 became new IAWP members, and the third renewed her membership after being expired since 2004! Bettina will be at the IAWP Conference in Lexington; go by the AMU booth and say hi!
Welcome new Region 10 members:
Officer Stacie Abney - Vallejo Police Department
Lt./Commander Gretchen Jacobs - California Highway Patrol
Captain Robin Faille - Yolo County Sheriff's Office
Officer Brandie Dressel - California Highway Patrol
D/Sheriff Lillian Granillo - Orange County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Michelle Roberts - Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office
Officer Soila McKay - UNLV Police Services
Deputy Investigator Kim Pavek (associate member) - Los Angeles County Dept. of Coroner
Lt. Edmond Finizie - North Las Vegas Police Department
Welcome also to those who have renewed their memberships:
Officer Christine Haddad - Oakland Unified Scjhool District, Dept. of Police Services
D/Sheriff Teresa Collentine - Sacramento County Sheriff's Office
Retired Lt. Tina Zakhary - Stockton Police Department
Sgt. Brenda Trobaugh - Frenso Police Department
Officer Lori Ann Williams - Riverside City College District Police Department
Congratulations go out to Sharon Pietrok from the Anaheim Police Department on her recent promotion to Lieutenant! Congratulations also go out to Belinda Brewer from the Anaheim P.D. on her promotion to Captain! (More on "Bea's" promotion to Captain, the first in the history of her Department, can be found in the March-May issue of WomenPolice!) You guys both rock!!
Don't forget to send me any news from your agencies, so I can share with the Region. Stay safe!
