President's Corner

February, 2012

This year we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Female Officer of The Year Gala Awards ceremony! Please save the date: On Thursday, March 22, 2012 At 6:00 p.m. , Farmington Club, 162 Town Farm Road, Farmington, Connecticut. Awards to be presented:

2011 Officer of the Year: Sgt. Tracy Baden - New Britain Police Department

Community Service Award: Investigator Kelly Crandall - Groton Police Department

Excellence in Performance Award: Officer Kari Tkacz - Windsor Police Department

Valor Award: Trooper Erin Lowney – Connecticut State Police

Mentoring Award: Officer Allison Collard - Glastonbury Police Department

Tickets are $50.00: Hors D’oeuvres and Dinner - Cash bar available, For tickets or for more information contact: Officer Lois Wack, Retired, 279 Service Rd, East Sandwich, MA 02537 (860) 306-6842 or email her at this link.

Continuing our focus on Leadership, Leadership has been described as “a journey without a final destination.” We are all searching for improving the Leader within us. We try to surround ourselves with the best people we can find, delegate authority, and start and end each day with unquestionable integrity. A quote sits at my desk from Thomas Willhite: “Let your life mean something. Become an inspiration to others so that they may try to do more and to become more than they are today.”

CAWP hopes that you will join us this year in accomplishing these goals:

Increase officer enrollments in distance learning. Continuing education has been described as the most important single task an officer can do for advancement, both personally and professionally.
Increase awareness of CAWP opportunities and receive an increased number of nominations for the Female Officer of The Year Awards.
Increase opportunities for meetings and gatherings with our associates in MAWLE and IAWP.

We at CAWP look forward to seeing you at the March 22, 2012 Officer of the Year Awards gala. Stay safe!

Judy Eide, President CAWP

September Happenings!

Welcome back from summer! I hope that all of our CAWP members, Associates, and friends had a fantastic summer, and are ready for a very busy fall! For most of the summer we had beautiful weather. Many of us in Connecticut recently experienced the trembling of an earthquake, and then the wrath of Hurricane Irene. Thankfully all of our members are doing well, although many are still dealing with the clean up. These events can be challenging and stressful. During these times remember to try to stay balanced in your personal and professional lives to help decrease the many stresses you face.

Since “taking over” as the new board this past April, your CAWP staff has been incredibly busy! We will outline the areas we have been working on, as well as new initiatives at this years’ Fall CAWP Meeting, Thursday October 13, 2011. Please join us at:

“Angelo’s on Main”
The Rockledge Golf Course
289 S. Main Street
West Hartford, CT 06107-3654
Tel: (860)313-0460
Click here for driving directions.

Here is the schedule:

Registration 0800 - 0830
Continental Breakfast 0830
Keynote and guest speakers
Lunch 1200

The cost for members is $35, and I am very excited to have a great speaker for training and two other guest speakers. You may register for this meeting online here…

I am excited about our Retiree group that will begin gathering every other month. This September 11, 2011 @ 12:00 pm, we will be gathering as many retirees as we can for a brunch at NuNu’s Bistro, 45 Hayward Ave, Colchester, CT (860) 537-6299 Click here for directions, for personal and professional reflection. There is also going to be a large contingent of current and past CAWP members attending the 10th Annual State Police Softball game, Sat. Sept 17 at the CT Sports Complex, N. Branford, CT. Please join us in promoting women in law enforcement, breast cancer awareness, and an overall fun day.

I have been working on re-establishing ties with our friends in Region 1 of the International Association of Women Police and members of the Massachusetts Association of Women in Law Enforcement. We are working on gathering our members at the BIG E this year! Save Saturday, 9/24/11 and 10/01/11 to meet at the “CT House” and interact with some of New England’s finest women in law enforcement.

CAWP is a wonderful organization that is for YOU and belongs to YOU. I look forward to meeting many of you at the upcoming events. We all have so many different experiences, woven in various personal and professional connections between women involved in all aspects of law enforcement which benefit everyone. Please come out and support these events, and I encourage you to bring new friends as well.

Public service is a high calling. This Fall I would like to challenge you to look at your career, and make a “One Year” and a “Five Year” goal list for your career. What are your “Best Practices” you can share with others? What has been core to your “success” framework, and what do you need to “rehab”? Attending Leadership training (such as the fall meeting) can demonstrate to your executive management the importance of polishing the image of the department. How can you help your department or agency focus on more positive behaviors? Cultivate enthusiasm? The change in YOU may be the first step to build momentum for positive change.

This fall let’s all try to work on improving INTEGRITY in the workplace. If you are a good leader, lead by example. Moral fiber must be woven into the organization from the TOP and throughout every aspect of the department. Be the STRONGEST thread in your department. Be a leader who promotes consideration to fellow employees, and focus on working together as a team instead of separate units. Boldly participate to the best of your abilities, and the results will build positive momentum for everyone.

Thank you for the great work you do every day. Stay safe, and I hope to see you at these events!

Judy Eide, President

“New Beginnings”

I am incredibly honored and enthusiastic to take over the reigns as President of CAWP. I would like to thank the outgoing board members for all of their work and dedication over the past few years.

During the next few months the Executive board will be meeting and discussing the top priorities for CAWP. I hope that you will take a few minutes to email any of us and tell us what you would like to see in terms of events, opportunities and training. We are looking for members to assist with all committees: Officer of the Year, Scholarship, Fund raising, and Membership.

As summer approaches, I ask for your assistance with these top priorities:

Violence Against Women

This is an obstacle to equality, development, and peace. It prevents women from fully enjoying their human rights and fundamental freedoms. Violence against women is appalling and we need to promote “zero tolerance” in this area. What are ways we as law enforcement officers can help in our communities to improve anti-violence education and prevention? More importantly, how do we improve our responses to crimes of violence?

Drivers under the influence

Nationally, being struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop is the leading cause of death for peace officers over the past decade, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. So far this year, 26 officers have died nationwide in traffic incidents, according to the memorial fund. That compares to 31 in 2010. Although state and local law enforcement officers run the campaign “Drunk driving: Over the limit, Under Arrest,” there needs to be increased officer awareness on the road, and tougher impaired driving arrests. Please see the Connecticut Police Chiefs Assoc LE Challenge .

Recruiting

CAWP wants to be a leader in mentoring, educating, and developing the best female recruits into policing. CAWP needs your help to show the importance of recruiting, integrating, and retaining women in law enforcement. Get involved! Re-commit to this organization and help us raise money for the scholarship fund! Come to one of the many events we will be hosting this summer and bring a new friend! CAWP needs you!

Stay safe!

-Judy Eide