Page 40 - November 2018

IAWP Conference welcomes 1,000 female officers to Australia
n BY LAUREL HICKMAN
This September, 1,000 law enforcement officials — includ- ing PO Kathy Caldwell, Retired Sergeant Laurie Hickman and civilian employee from St Charles PD Gina King — trekked to Cairns, Australia to take part in a unique training experi-
are breathtaking and memorable.
This year’s event, with the support of the Queensland Po-
lice, was an excellent opportunity to showcase the beauty of tropical North Queensland. Cairns is known for its com- munity spirit, which aligns perfectly with the conference
theme. The “Global Networks: Local Law Enforcement”
ence at the International Association of Women Polic
55th Annual Training Conference. This one-of-a-kind event provides an opportunity for networking, train- ing, travel and career enhancement for women from more than 60 countries. For the first time, this event was completely sold out, with participants from five continents.
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heme was selected to highlight the importance of
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CHICAGO ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
partnerships and celebrate the cooperation between law enforcement agencies and communities around the globe. Experts from national and international law enforcement agencies, family and community
agencies, legal representatives, academics, research-
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Highlights from this year’s conference were guest speaker Terri Irwin from the Australia Zoo, who talked about becom- ing Wildlife Warriors in protecting endangered species; Julie Anthony, an Australian Aboriginal, who sang the national anthem at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and spoke eloquent- ly about growing up in a native environment and reaching for goals; and a presentation from a Facebook representative about being safe on the internet. First time attendee King said was overwhelmed by the outpouring of empowerment messages for women.
Every conference features a Parade of Nations (in which participants wear the dress uniform of their country), cul- tural events and a silent auction of items donated by the par- ticipants. This year, FOP 7 generously donated several items from the gift shop including hats, pins, t-shirts and one of the most sought-after items — a sweatshirt with the Chica- go Police Star in pink and blue studs. This one item fetched more than $100 to be donated to Uniforms for Kids, an or- ganization that transforms police uniforms into clothing for children. The conference welcomes retirees, family mem- bers and friends by scheduling tours and other events, such as a snorkeling trip to the Great Barrier Reef, a tour of the aquarium, and a duck ride through the Kuranda Rainforest.
The Chicago Association of Women in Law Enforcement is an affiliate member of the IAWP, and Kathy Caldwell is the regional coordinator for the Midwestern states. Next year’s conference will be held in Calgary during the last week of August. We hope to see you there. Information is available at IAWP.org
The IAWP Mission is to strengthen, unite and raise the ca- pacity of women in policing internationally. Established in 1915, it was the first international organization to provide professional development, mentoring, training, network- ing and recognition for female law enforcement officers and civilian support staff as well as to increase the numbers of women in policing. Now more than 100 years strong, IAWP has members in more than 60 countries and continues the same traditions established by the founders. IAWP envisions a world where police reflect the diversity of the communities they serve and where human rights are protected. d
The IAWP Conference is held in a different location each year. The expertise of the speakers and presenters is unmatched by any other training offered in the marketplace. The first conference was held in 1956, and it has grown to be a highly valued, annual global event for both the IAWP members and the international delegates who attend the training. The event consistently gets high marks for train- ing content and meeting career goals. Knowledge, skills and abilities are enhanced and advanced. Premiere onsite events such as the IAWP International Awards, Scholarship and Heritage honors draw crowds, and the opening ceremonies
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s and community groups all collaborated to make this event a resounding success.
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40 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ NOVEMBER 2017