Region 9 & 10 Training Conference

Our Region's first- Mini Training Conference will be held in March 24-25, 2013. The IAWP Board of Directors will meet March 22-23, 2013 and then the Training Conference will be right after.  This is a chance for Members who have not met the BOD or attended an IAWP Conference to attend a mini conference.  Please save the dates and come join us in Las Vegas!!! Our hotel will be announced when I return in Oct. I have a proposal from the Gold Coast but I have not signed the contract yet.  Stand by for more.  

The 51st Training Conference was fantastic..there were over 1100 delegates attending from 54 countries. Lots of note resting info and very nice people.  

I'm starting to fall asleep so more next time

Take Care and be safe out there.

IAWP News Feeds as of 9/8/2013

This is an IAWP Board list serve message and replying will be relayed to the list. If your response is personal, please send it directly to the individual.  This is a pre-pended message header.
---------------------------

IAWP Region 17, At least 50 Members attending IAWP 2013 in Durban.
                http://www.iawp.org/regions/region17.htm

Kenya Africa - My mission to become the first female Maasai warrior. 
                 http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/sep/06/kenya-first-female-maasai-warrior

Foley Minnesota - Central Minnesota above national average for advancing women to police leadership roles.
           http://www.sctimes.com/article/20130906/NEWS01/309060009/Central-Minnesota-above-national-average-advancing-women-police-leadership-roles

Peshwar Pakistan - As part of the unfolding police reform agenda, women police mobile education units have been established in all regional police headquarters and will become functional fromSeptember 9. Every unit will be headed by a senior lady police official and include four to five other members. The units aim to educate women about their rights and domestic violence, and inform them of the women complaint centres set up at police stations across the province. They can register complaints of any violence committed against them at the centres where female staffers will assist them.
                  http://tribune.com.pk/story/599816/gender-justice-women-police-mobile-education-units-set-up/

Bulawayo Zimbabwe- Policewomen charged for failing exam.  Four policewomen stationed at Central Police have appeared before an internal disciplinary hearing for allegedly failing a police promotion examination.  In court for determination is whether failing a police promotion examination is an act of misconduct under policing duties (performing duty in an improper manner).
                   http://nehandaradio.com/2013/09/07/policewomen-charged-for-failing-exam/

Chicago Illinois - Chicago Police Academy Opens Doors To Potential Recruits. Hundreds turned out Saturday as the Chicago Police Department opened the doors of the Police Academy to potential recruits. Recruits spoke with instructors, saw demonstrates of physical requirements and the control tactics officers use, were able to see the gun range and demonstrations of SWAT tactics and medical response, among other things.
                    http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/09/07/chicago-police-academy-opens-doors-to-potential-recruits/

Afghanistan - Afghan policewomen tout gains but live in fear of losing it all.  Roina Durani had dreamt of wearing a uniform since she was a little girl. She might not have known exactly what type of uniform, but before 2001, she was pretty sure it wouldn’t be that of a police officer. Yet 12 years after the fall of the Taliban government, Durani proudly sits in her own office sporting an Afghan National Police uniform. “When the Taliban were in power, we couldn’t even leave the house without a male relative with us. We couldn’t get jobs — girls couldn’t go to school,” said Durani. “The last 12 years we’ve been like birds flying freely. If the Taliban come back in power, we will be back in a cage.”
                    http://www.stripes.com/news/afghan-policewomen-tout-gains-but-live-in-fear-of-losing-it-all-1.239387

Washington DC - Alerts go to law enforcement ahead of 9/11 anniversary. Federal authorities have issued a series of general alerts to law enforcement for vigilance with the approach of theSept. 11 anniversary and a possible U.S. military strike in Syria, law enforcement officials said. U.S. law enforcement officials say there's no indication of specific plots in the Unites States related to the 9/11 anniversary, which is the first since the 2012 attack on a U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans.
                       http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/06/us/9-11-alerts/index.html

 

 

Four Region 10 Coordinators

Hi. Everyone

Robin Matthews sent this to me - thought I would post it  - those are virgin drinks (lmao)

 Attached find the photo of all 4 of the past/current Region 10 Coordinators at the conference in St. John's.  

Here's the order of the people in the photo and when they served as Region 10 Coordinator:

Christine Murray, Retired Captain from the Orange County Sheriff's Office - Served 1994-2000

Lynette Hogue, Retired Lieutenant from the San Francisco Police Department - Served 2000-2006

Robin Matthews, Retired Inspector from the San Francisco Police Department - Served 2006-2012

Fabian Brown, Senior Deputy with the San Francisco Sheriff's Office - Served 2012-

Happenings here and around the world August 2013

- Region 10 Member, Ellen Kirschman, author of "I Love A Cop" has a new book out called "Burying Ben" , a fictional crime novel.  It got excellent reviews. Try and support one of our region members.

- China sending 140 riot policewomen to Liberia - not sure why but just thought I would mention it. 

- Women police officers in Delhi claim they are overworked and underpaid ( welcome to our world :-))

There is a shortage of women officers to work on cases of crimes against women, which are piling up and those on the job are struggling to make a difference.

- Greensboro police officer Karen Walters settled her gender discrimination lawsuit against the city for $180,000 and a promotion to Captain.  Congrats to her.

- National Black Police Association is in the middle of their National Training Conference in Miami, FL. The Western Region will hold their regional training conference in Burlingame CA.  Nov 14-17, 2013.  Let me know if you would like more info.

August 12, 2013

Happy Summer Vacation to Everyone

I am really excited about my upcoming trip to South Africa.   Region 10 Members Sita Singh, Barbara Jean Curry and I are going to take a 3 week driving safari around South Africa.  We are totally excited and looking forward to our adventures. But first we will have the excitement of the IAWP Training Conference.  No will try and put photos on FB and perhaps here on the Blog.

I will be submitting a request at the Fall Board Meeting that Regions 9&10 host the 2014 Early Board Meeting. Tamia Dow has been working hard to secure a hotel for the conference.  It is set for the weekend of March 22-24,2014. If the Board decides to let us host the Board Meeting it will happen on March 21-23 and the Regional Conference will be on March 24&25, 2014.  Otherwise the Regional Conference will be the weekend dates.  Location for the conference is Las Vegas NV.... VIVA Las Vegas and we can celebrate my birthdate. Yahoo!!!!   I will keep you posted.

If anyone is interested in helping with the conference please let me know. I already have a few names.  We will need sponsors, vendors and help registering people.

Fabian

Next Posting will be from South Africa

Meeting Minutes from Early Board Meeting April 20-21,2013

The 2013 Early Board Meeting was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, April 20-21, 2013.  The meeting was called to order at 0922 hrs by IAWP President Jane Townsley.

Introductions and Welcomes we're conducted for Board Members and Guests.
Past meeting minutes from St John's were approved.
Karen Salisbury notified us of the next Board Meeting which will be September 20-21, 2013 in Durban, South Africa

Reports

All Reports were as submitted and published.
- The only person who wanted to add was Simon Townsley, who added delivery submission dates for articles to the magazine.  Pre- conference magazine that will go out in July has a deadline date of June 1, 2013.  Post conference magazine article submission deadline date is September 1, 2013.  It was pointed out that with that date 2013 Conference photos and information won't be read until January.  It wasn't made clear whether those dates ( especially the post conference deadline) would be changed.

Strategic Planning - Fundraising and Marketing

Stephanie requested to not have to wait for every Board Meeting in order to get approval to purchase
items for fundraising and marketing. She will now go coordinate with her committee and then present her request to the Treasurer and Finance Committee.

Conference Committees -

2012  St. John's -  There were over 700 delegates from 56 countries.  $10,000 was raised for Ronald McDonald House.  The Conference Committee is in the process of disbursing checks, IAWP as an organization will receive at least $90,000 up to $150,000.

2013  Durban, South Africa
- people reporting having trouble booking their hotel rooms, attendees should try and book directly with the hotel instead of through the website.  Hotel fees have been sorted out and corrected, be sure to read the terms and conditions.


- A listing of dates for the Post Conference tours have not been posted, attendees may also want to book these on their own also.  The name of a travel agent is listed, remember the prices are listed in Zars so be sure to convert it.

- So far 275 delegates have registered.  Apartments and guest house may be available as well as housing after the conference.

Standing Items

IAWP Foundation -
- Robin announced that I am the new Representative for the Region Coordinators.
- Robin is working on getting Regional Coordinators financial support so they can hold Region

  Conferences.

Finance
  Checking - $2,276.12
  Savings -  $96,420.52

I apologize for not sending the above Blog out right a way the computer and Blog site froze and it took my son and some time to figure it out. So this info is a little old but it's informative.

As of August 8, 2013

I will be submitting a request at the Fall Board Meeting that Regions 9&10 host the 2014 Early Board Meeting. Tamia Dow has been working hard to secure a hotel for the conference.  It is set for the weekend of March 22-24,2014. If the Board decides to let us host the Board Meeting it will happen on March 21-23 and the Regional Conference will be on March 24&25, 2014.  Otherwise the Regional Conference will be the weekend dates.  Location for the conference is Las Vegas NV.... VIVA Las Vegas and we can celebrate my birthdate. Yahoo!!!!   I will keep you posted.

If anyone is interested in helping with the conference please let me know. I already have a few names.  We will need sponsors, vendors and help registering people.

Next Posting will be from South Africa

Ok - I think I'm on a role here. I just received some good news for me of our Region 10 Member, Brenda Trobaugh who was a Sergeant with the Fresno Police Dept. has been hired as a Commander (2nd in charge) at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo University. Congratulations Brenda. Unfortunately, my department the San Francisco Sheriff's Dept. lost one of our deputies in a boating accident. Dep. Michael Roberts joined our department in 1998. He was a really nice guy and a great co-worker. He will be missed. Please keep his family in your prayers. I am still looking into the IAWP's Policies and Procedures and the Articles. It seems our organization was written under the Societies Act from Canada. So far Robin and I cannot find out the rules for passing P&P's and who votes. You can google the Societies Act and read them for your self. Pretty interesting stuff. More to come Fabian Please Be Safe Out There

Hello Region 10 - It has been a long week in here in Trinidad and Tobago. Many firsts encountered. My first Board of Directors Meeting, Region 17's (the Caribbean Women's) First Regional Conference. It was very exciting attending and seeing all of the Caribbean Women here. The Region 17 Women have raised the bar, for many years Region 10 was the largest Region but I believe Region 17 as unseated us with the 90+ women who joined the IAWP at these past two days. There were many items on the agenda for the Board to consider, when I return home next week I will write the minutes from the meeting. One of the most controversial agenda items was regarding Policy 4 and the naming of awards, specifically the Mary Jo Blahowski Leadership Award and then the Lois Higgins-Grote Heritage Award. It was brought before the Board the awards should not be named after members of the Board but should just be titled for the type of award, i.e. the Leadership and Heritage awards. The reasoning spoken at the meeting was that many members do not know who these women were, how do you choose which members will be recognized, and who makes those decisions. These were very privatize and thought inducing questions. After reading the Policy I realized that we have no criteria to show why these women were chosen. There is only information on the award itself and not how it relates to the women named after the award. Criteria is necessary so that new Board Members and new Members will understand their contributions and relevance to the award itself. I abstained from voting on this agenda item because the proposal was confusing. Please remember that this will not be finalized until the AGM Meeting in South Africa,because all policy changes Must be approved by the members and I will be there. Meanwhile, I will be speaking with other Regional Directors and Robin,maybe we can formulate a better Proposal and/or create criteria. Standby for more. Please do not hesitate send me your ideas and feedback on this issue or for what should be included in the criteria or proposal. Remember Don't Shoot The Messenger! :-)

Hi Region 10 I wrote a nice long Blog at the beginning of this month but it didn't take so I will try this again. 1. Thank you to everyone for all the support when my Mom passed. It was a little tough thru the holidays but my family and I made it through. I hope all of you had a safe and happy holiday season and I wish everyone a safe and Prosperous New Year. 2. South Africa has finally got their website up, this means you can register for the 2013 Conference and get your hotel room. Please go to the iawp website and click on the conference logo. For those who pre-registered the conference committee and Jane are working on confirming those registrations. 3. The Early Board Meeting will be in Trinidad/Tobago in April. I will be attending the Board Meeting. I will post a synopsis of the topics discussed after the Meeting. If there is anything you would like me to bring up at the Board Meeting please let me know. 4. If members forward me training info I will forward it out in email. I forwarded out training info this morning, if you did not receive it that means I have an incorrect email. Please let other members know that if they aren't receiving any emails from me it's because I either don't have their email or I have an incorrect address. Ask them to email me at spacegirl1361@gmail.com. 5. This month the nation celebrated the birth of Dr Martin Luther King and the Inauguration of President Obama. Next month we have the SuperBowl (GO NINERS!!) and Presidents Day and also Chinese New Year. Happy Birthday to all the January Babies. Take Care and Be Safe Out There

Hello Region 10 I apologize for being so long in writing. Many of you know my Mom passed away just after my last Blog. I thank everyone for the kind thoughts and prayers. My family and I are working our way through feelings and memories. Mom loved Christmas and Thanksgiving so this year will be a little hard. I have been keeping up with what's going on around the world but was unable to get back into my email and then this Blog. My email was hijacked the same day my Mom passed so now I have a new email it is spacegirl1361@gmail.com. Please change my address in your computer. IAWP has a new online shop where you can now purchase iawp products just go to the website. IAWP Retired Member Senior Superintendent Christie McMillan, Trinidad and Tobago Police Department, lost her son, Trinidad and Tobago Police Constable Kevin McMillan, in an off-duty incident. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers. As of Nov 9, 2012 we have had 6 female officers killed in the line of duty since our conference in St. John's, PLEASE be safe out there. President Jane Townsley, appointed Jennifer Rowe as the Region 8 Coordinator. She also appointed Myra James as the official IAWP Affiliate Liaison, a non voting position, that will report to the BOD (Board of Directors). Both will be confirmed for the purposes of minutes at our early board meeting in 2013. If a quorum is attained, by BOD members confirming their attendance, the Early Board Meeting will be held in Trinidad and Tobago (YEAH) I have confirmed my presence. Although anyone may attend the following training conference, only attendees from California can receive POST (Police Officer Standard and Training) credits. POST Training Managers Workshop, Tuesday-Thursday, March 26-28,2013. At the Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront. Registration is $125.00 and fulfills 24 CPT hours. I will forward the flyer to Region 10 Members. Ok I will write again soon so meanwhile - BE SAFE OUT THERE. FABIAN

Hi Region 10 Members With Robin's assistance I have finally gained access to the Blog!! Yeah!. This entry will be short and sweet. Just wanted to Thank all of you for your support. I have updatd my introduction information. I have over 25 years experience in law enforcement as a National Park Ranger and now as a Deputy Sheriff for San Francisco CA. I enjoy outdoor activties, reading, dancing and my children and grandchildren. I am also a Boardmember for BALEAF (BayArea Law Enforcement Assistance Fund)and President of the local chapter of the National Black Police Association. This year I traveled to St. John's NewFoundland for the International Training Conference for IAWP. The classes were exceptional (as usual) and the people attending were truly international. So many different uniforms. I will try to post some photos from the conference on my next entry. Our next conference will be in Durban, South Africa. You can now register online for this conference ( go to iawp.org). Hotel accommodations are still being arranged. Don't forget to update your passport and get your shots next year(probably) in the Spring. Winnipeg Canada in 2014 and 2015 we will be in Cardiff Wales. Until the next time... be safe out there Fabian

Summer Greetings!

Hello one and all! I hope that you are all enjoying your summer, and are finding ways to stay cool! I'd like to welcome the following new members to the Region: Officer Frances Graves - San Francisco Police Department Officer Yvette Perrodin - Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant Paula Byrd - San Marino Police Department Retired Inspector Liane Corrales - San Francisco Police Department And, welcome back to the following members who have renewed their memberships: Lieutenant Yvonne Pratt - San Francisco Police Department Retired Lieutenant Susanne Hackett - Minnesota State Patrol (now living in Phoenix) Retired Captain Anna Brown - San Francisco Police Department Sergeant Christa Cappiali - Richmond Police Department Major Moana Heu - Honolulu Police Department Officer Nicole Miller - U.C. Berkeley Police Department Everyone by now should have received your ballot for the upcoming IAWP elections. Anyone whose membership was current as of May 31st is eligible to vote. If you haven't received a ballot in the mail yet, please contact the Elections Chair, Cande Ackler, IMMEDIATELY at cackler@surewest.net, so she can make sure you receive a ballot and you can get it returned to her in time to be included in the vote count. The deadline for Cande receiving your ballot is September 2nd; there will be no on site voting at the IAWP Conference in St. John's in September. It is very important for you to vote, and is a right and privilege of your membership. If you have any questions concerning the election, please contact me at RLM2214A@aol.com, and I'll help you out in anyway I can. Make sure you follow the instructions preciously to ensure that your vote will not be invalidated. Congratulations go out to Deputy Chief Lea Militello from the San Francisco Police Department, who retired on July 1st after 31 years in the Department. Welcome to the club, my friend! Lea was my first work partner when I came into the Department, and was a well respected member of the SFPD. Enjoy your retirement; you deserve it! Congratulations also go out to Senior Inspector Melissa Johnson from the U.S. Marshals Service, who also retired on July 1st after a 30 year career with the Service. Melissa is proud to have served as a second generation U.S. Marshal following in the footsteps of her father, retired Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Jack Ashburn. Melissa retires from the Tactical Operations Division, Strategic National Stockpile Security Operations out of Riverside, California. We also have some promotions to celebrate in the Region, both from the San Francisco Police Department - Rene Pagano was promoted to Lieutenant, and Yulanda Williams was promoted to Sergeant. Way to go, you two! In know you'll both do great in your new roles. Finally, the IAWP Chaplain, and fellow Region 10 member, Tamia Dow, is requesting that anyone who has knowledge of any Fallen Officers in our Region who have lost their lives in the past 10 years, to please forward her their names to Chaplaindow@yahoo.com, so they can be included in the 50th anniversary recognition that she is putting together for the 50th annual conference in St. John's. If you can send those names to her by August 15th, she would be most appreciative. Thanks! Until next time, stay safe!

Happy Memorial Day

Greetings one and all. I hope you're all been having an enjoyable spring, thus far, and will take a few minutes out of your busy day tomorrow to remember all of those who have served, and are currently serving, in our military as we celebrate Memorial Day. So many of those in law enforcement are also military veterans, and I want to take this time to thank all of you in Region 10 who have served our country in our armed forces. It is very much appreciated! I'd like to welcome the following new members to Region 10: Lieutenant Nancy Killian - Utah County Sheriff's Office Officer Josette Fair - Woodland Police Department And, those who have renewed their memberships: Retired Sergeant Karen Lynch - San Francisco Police Department Lieutenant Pam Keller - Washoe County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Brenda Troubagh - Fresno Police Department Welcome one and all! I'd like to congratulate Inspector Holly Pera and Inspector Liane Corrales from the San Francisco Police Department on their recent retirements. Holly retired on February 19th from the Homicide Unit, and Liane retired on March 19th from the Juvenile Bureau. Enjoy your well earned retirements; you both deserve them and will be SO missed at the SFPD! Santa Monica named Inglewood Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks as their city's new Police Chief. Seabrooks had spent 25 years at the Santa Monica Police Department rising to the rank of captain before being named chief in Inglewood 4-1/2 years ago. Welcome back home, Chief! Congratulations also goes out to Lieutenant Gabriela Tazzari from the Paradise Police Department as she was appointed earlier this month as their town's first female Police Chief! Finally, condolences go out to the family of Region 10 member, Theresa "Terri" Collentine, recently retired from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, who died in a tragic diving accident last week in Northern California. Terri loved the IAWP and everything it stood for, and attended the annual conferences as often as she was able to do so. She was appointed the Nominations Chair of the IAWP in 2009. You will be SO missed, my friend. Take care, stay safe, and don't forget to fly the American flag tomorrow! Happy Memorial Day.

Hello Region 10

Just stopping by to say hello to IAWP Region 10.

Hello to Region 10 Members.

Happy Spring!

Greetings! I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of the spring season. Those of us in Northern California are FINALLY getting some much needed rain, so be careful in your travels as that old oil comes up to the surface on the roads.

I'd like to welcome some new members to the Region:

Detective Maria Ciuffetelli - Los Angeles Police Department
Lieutenant Tamatha Villa - Pinal County Sheriff's Office
Retired Office Constance O'Connor - San Francisco Police Department

As well as some who have renewed their memberships:

Captain Loretta MacPhail - Chico Police Department
Retired Lieutenant Valna Wilson - Orange County Sheriff's Office
Reired Officer Michelle Wilson - San Diego Police Department
Detective Lori Reynolds - Fresno Police Department
Detective Deborah Golzales - Los Angeles Police Department
Sergeant Tracie Keillor - Sacramento County Sheriff's Office

Welcome one and all! Please forward me any news from your agencies or local areas, such as upcoming trainings, officer safety info, promotions, retirements - anything that you'd like passed onto the Region - and I'll be happy to do that for you. Just send to my personal e-mail at RLM2214A@aol.com, and I'll be sure to share it.

Congratulations to Assistant Police Chief Marcy Korgenski, who retired from the Ogden (Utah) Police Department on March 15th after 30 years of service. She helped establish the OPD's gang unit, and has worked in virtually every division within the Department. When she was promoted to Patrol Sergeant in 1995, Lieutenant in 1999, and Assistanct Chief in 2010, she was the first woman in her agency to ever hold those posts! Congratulations, Marcy; enjoy your retirement!

Congratulations also goes out to Ethel Meares, who was the first female deputy in the San Bernadino County Sheriff's Department. The Department proclaimed February 14th as a day honoring Ethel, describing her as the county's "first policewoman." The proclaimation coincided with Ethel's 100th birthday! Congratulations, Ethel! Things have changed just a bit since you joined the Sheriff's Department in 1955 at the age of 43! Thanks for being a trail blazer for those who followed you.

For those who may not have checked out the IAWP website lately, the IAWP Annual "Officer-of-the-Year" Awards Program submissions are well under way! These are presigious awards given out each year at the annual training conference, and are given out to female police officers who have distinguished themselves in the following categories: Officer-of-the-Year, Excellence in Performance, Leadership, Mentoring, Medal of Valor, and Community Service. There is also a Civilian Achievement Award, which is given to a civilian woman who has gone above and beyond to support, promote and enhance the criminal justice profession. When you go onto the IAWP website at www.iawp.org, scroll down on the home page, and you'll find the link for the Awards Program, which will give you the criteria for each of the awards, as well as the instructions on how to complete the online application! THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS APRIL 9th!

This is a wonderful program, and I strongly encourage you to submit names of women who fit the criteria for these awards to give them a chance to be acknowledged for the fantastic work they are doing. We don't often get acknowledged for the great work we do, even in our own Departments, so to be able to be acknowledged internationally is quite an honor, indeed! The online application process is easy to complete and self-explanatory; there is a 4 typed pages maximum, and can contain no newspaper articles, letters, etc. We all know women in law enforcement that have done some amazing things; we don't usually like to "toot our own horns", but this is one time when those horns should be blasting!!! Submit those women for these awards and help get them the acknowledgement they deserve!

1st Asian Region Women Police Conference

Following the trip to Abu Dhabi, we all flew to Dhaka, Bangladesh, where other Board members joined us. After 2 days of Board meetings, we had the privilege of attending the 1st Asian Region Women Police Conference, that was hosted by the Bangladesh Police Women's Network (another new Affiliate of the IAWP) on March 7th and 8th. Approximately 120 women law enforcement officers from throughout Asia attended the conference, which was held at the Police Staff College in Dhaka, and where we were hosted during our stay. The Opening Ceremonies was held at the Intercontinental Hotel, and attended by a number of high ranking government and law enforcement officials, as well as the UN Resident Coordinator for Bangladesh, all who participated in opening remarks. We then returned to the Police College, and the training classes began.

It was an honor being able to participate in this conference, as well as to participate in the first ever International Women's Day March in Dhaka on International Women's Day on March 8th. It was a powerful experience, and I was truly honored to have been able to be a part of their history! It was also amazing to see posters and signs throughout Dhaka about both the conference and the International Women's Day March. It was clear these were both very important events!

We were also able to visit a Victim Support Centre, which takes care of women and children who are victims of trafficking, acid burn, domestic violence, sexual harassment and rape, which is run by the Women Support & Investigation Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Department. And, along with all of that, Region 15 Coordinator, and Deputy Police Commissioner, Amena Begum, was able to take us to the Ahsan Manzil Palace Museum, the Parliament Building, and other areas in Dhaka, followed by a final banquet where we were entertained by local dancing and singing. A very nice way to end a wonderful experience!

Sheik Zayed Mosque

Following the Emirates Women Police Conference, we were able to spend a few days touring around the area. One of the amazing places we were able to tour was the Sheik Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the 7th largest Mosque in the world. The "call to prayer" that happens 5 times a day, is broadcast through this Mosque, and is connected electronically to all of the other Mosques in Abu Dhabi, so the same "call to prayer" is heard throughout the Emirate.

All women needed to don an abaya (black, full body length covering Arab women often wear) and a sheyla (head covering) prior to entering the grounds of the Mosque. Both are provided at the Mosque; however, knowing I would be touring the Mosque, I had purchased my own head scarf prior to the tour. All who entered were given bags for their shoes, which remained off until we left the grounds. The Mosque and the grounds were breathtaking, and I enjoyed learning more about their faith. I only wish I could have found a booklet about the Mosque, as there were so many details given to us, none of us were able to remember them all. Enjoy some photos from the tour.

The First Women Police Conference in Abu Dhabi

alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720710211987843394" />

I had the distinct honor of being able to join a number of the IAWP Board members as we traveled to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to participate in the first ever Women Police Conference in the Gulf States, February 26th through the 28th. The conference theme was "Women Policing . . . New Horizon for Future". The Opening Ceremonies was held at the spectacular Emirates Palace. Between 400-500 women from throughout the Gulf States participated in this history making conference!

The training at the conference, which was held at the Intercontinental Hotel, was excellent, and each training class had standing room only in them, and a line of women outside the rooms hoping to be able to get in! It was a powerful experience, and the interactions they were able to have with each other, and that we were able to have with them, was priceless! It was also a new experience for me to have to wear headphones for translations from Arabic to English for many of the classes, and it gave me a completely different perspective on what others from around the world who have English as a second language often have to contend with when coming to conferences in North America. Many thanks to His Highness Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, U.A.E. Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Interior, and 1st Lt. Amnah Mohamed, the President of the Emirates Women Police Association (one of our newest IAWP Affiliates), who hosted and facilitated this first, of hopefully, many future conferences! And, special thanks to Region 16 Coordinator, Steph Harding, who was instrumental in helping put this successful conference together!

More Good Stuff Happening in the Region

Greetings one and all. First of all, I'd like to welcome the following new members to the Region since my last blog posting:

Sergeant Margarita Rios - Los Angeles School Police
Officer Erin Behm - Syracuse Police Department
Officer Jennifer Fiorello - San Francisco Police Department
Officer Regina Collier - Anderson Police Department
Officer Jacqui Perna - Menlo Park Police Department
Sergeant Suzanne (Jill) Morrison - North Las Vegas Police Department
C/O Cynthia Hubert - Henderson Police Department/Corrections
Officer Jennifer Jones - California Highway Patrol
Officer Ashley Ohrn - Phoenix Police Department
Lieutenant Julie Angulo - California Department of Corrections
Captain Valerie Tanguay-Masner - San Bernadino County Sheriff's Office
Officer Jaxi Close - Los Angeles General Services Police Department

SO good to have you join the IAWP family! Any information you'd like to pass onto the Region concerning upcoming trainings in your agency or regional areas, retirements, officer safety issues, promotions, or anything else you'd like to share, please e-mail them to me at RLM2214A@aol.com, and I'll be happy to pass it onto the Region, either through e-mail or through the blog.

I'd also like to welcome back the following members on their renewals:

Sergeant Wendy Bear - San Francisco Police Department
Sheriff Penny Kalua - Hawaii State Sheriff
Chief Sandra Spanoli - San Leandro Police Department
Officer Kristina Hershberger - Clovis Police Department
Retired Sergeant Carolyn (Carri) Lucas - San Francisco Police Department

Good to have you all back!

I had the honor of attending yet another one of our Region member's retirement dinners last night - this time, for Captain Alana Forrest from the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department. Alana served as a police officer for 28 years, working first with the Palo Alto Police Department, where she rose to the rank of Lieutenant, and then moving to the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department as a Captain in 2000. Congratulations, my friend; enjoy your well deserved retirement!

I also wanted to note that when I attended IAWP Chaplain, Tamia Dow's, retirement party in Las Vegas earlier this month, the Nevada Governor, Brian Sandoval, proclaimed February 1, 2012 as Tamia Dow Day in the State of Nevada. Very, very cool!!

Congratulations also go out to Region 10 member, Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Darcy Olmos from the U.S. Border Patrol on HER retirement on January 30th! Darcy served almost 27-1/2 years with the Border Patrol in Arizona. Congratulations, and have fun enjoying your new career! You're going to love it!

The only IAWP Affiliate in our Region, the Los Angeles Women Police Officers and Associates (LAWPOA), will be presenting their 2012 Professional Training and Development Symposium on March 22nd at the Sheraton Universal Hotel at 333 Universal Hollywood Drive in Universal City. Featured speakers include Lt. Col. (retired) Dave Grossman, speaking about "The Bulletproof Mind"; Olga Trujillo, J.D., speaking about "The Impact of Physical and Sexual Violence" and "Victim Behavior: Assessing Credibility"; Cynthia Tobias, M.Ed., speaking about "Turning Conflict Into Cooperation: Bringing Out the Best in the Strong-Willed Person"; and Sean Riley, speaking about "Life, Rise and Fall of a Cop".

Registration for the symposium is from 6:30-7:30 a.m. and the symposium will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuition is $90.00 for LAWPOA members and $100.00 for non-LAWPOA members. Checks shuld be made payable to LAWPOA at P.O. Box 531067, Los Angeles, CA 90053. For additional information, please contact John Vasquez at 213-486-8402, or Angeles Reynoso at 213-486-7668.

Congratulations go out to Rosanne Richeal, who was selected as the City of Rancho Cordova's first female police chief! She'll begin her new job on March 19th. Roseanne previously served as Assistant Chief for the Department.

Congratulations also go out to Jackie Rubin, who was hired by the St. Helena City Council as their first female police chief! Jackie is a 26-year veteran of the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office. She began her new job on January 11th.

AWESOME to see more women rising to the rank of Chief! Good luck to one and all!

Finally, if you haven't seen the San Francisco Police Department's video of the "It Gets Better" project, check it out at www.itgetsbetter.org. It's a VERY powerful video; I believe that the San Francisco Police Department is the first law enforcement organization in the country to film a message for the project. Many thanks to their Department's LGBT organization, the S.F. Police Officer's Pride Alliance, who spearheaded the project, and to Chief Greg Suhr, who supported it wholeheartedly from it's inception! The video is anticipated to go viral, and once you see it, you'll know why. Four days after it's release, it hit 106,000 hits on U-Tube!! Please pass it along to your colleagues near and far; it's a powerful message that needs to be passed spread like wildfire.

Until next time, stay safe!