The Connecticut Association of Women Police was started by a few female police officers in 1958. It began with a small group of women who worked through the "early days" of women in Law Enforcement. Their struggle to gain acceptance was constant and they felt they needed to stay together and share thoughts and information. The association was a way for them to stay in touch for support and a professional affiliation. As women entered police departments more frequently, the membership grew.

In 1983, the membership grew to 66 members. C.A.W.P.'s very first newsletter was published in 1984. It was an eight page newsletter which included some remarks from then Lt. Governor Joseph J. Fauliso's address to the Fall CAWP Meeting in Mystic, Connecticut. He was quoted as saying, " Women entering police work today step into a very different world from that of their predecessors of only a few years ago. There are new opportunities for women in law enforcement and new challenges, as well. There is a new recognition of the contributions that women can make in their profession.

You who are in law enforcement today, and those who have pioneered in this field, have laid the groundwork for those who will follow in your footsteps. The outlook for the future is very bright, as women continue to demonstrate that they are qualified in every respect to engage in this demanding work. we commend you for your dedication and we offer our best wishes as you continue to build a proud tradition of women in law enforcement.

In 1999, our membership has swelled to almost 200 members with continuous growth. We still hold fast to a strict ethic of professionalism and high standards of conduct. We encourage women to enter and remain in the field of law enforcement. We want to maximize the opportunities to communicate with one another to develop professional and personal relationships. We want to contribute to the growth of our respective agencies to provide an ever-improving service to the public. Sharing information and offering training has become standard for this association to assist in members' professional development.

Today, we are proud to have over 200 members with the ability to communicate with people from all over the world through this website. Tomorrow and in the future, we hope to reach out farther than ever before so that we can continue to accomplish our goals and be used as an open forum for law enforcement officers from all across Connecticut..