A GRAND Junction Experience For Rocky Mountain Women in Law Enforcement!
The 2009 Conference Committee for RMWLE
I had the privilege of being one of the presenters at the annual conference for the Rocky Mountain Women in Law Enforcement in Grand Junction, Colorado this week. What a great (grand!) experience!
The photo is of the conference planning committee–and they deserve tremendous thanks for all they did. Felicia Low, president of the association and every association officer and volunteer also deserve applause. I know those women and men would agree that the quality of the conference would not have been possible without vendors, corporate supporters and the chiefs, sheriffs and directors who allowed the participants to attend.
All of the work for the conference centered around the 170 or so professional women and men from the Rocky Mountain states (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and even from Florida) who attended and participated enthusiastically in the training. They were inspirational, fun and joyfully dedicated to their professions. You would have liked to be there!
Grand Junction was the perfect place for the conference this year. It is a welcoming city that is close to many attractions and beautiful on its own. I love to walk in the downtown mall area, stop for coffee, shop a bit and just enjoy the great weather (it’s nearly always much more mild than elsewhere in the state.) Grand Junction City Manager Laurie Kadrich was an uplifting and motivating speaker on Tuesday night. She was the perfect person for the role, because she started her career in public service as a police officer in Gillette, Wyoming, in the late 70s.
I’ll write more about the conference over time, but had to report its success immediately. One of the recurring themes of every speaker and trainer had to do with building relationships with officers and employees at all levels of the organization as well as building relationships with individuals and groups in the community. This conference was a great model for the concept!
I’m glad there are groups such as this one, to bring women in law enforcement together for support and training. There must be many challenges, even in this more enlightened era. Congratulations to them for a successful conference! Don
Comment by Don R. | September 25, 2009
WOW! HOW NEAT IS THAT??????? Very neat!!! d.
Comment by denisek | September 25, 2009
I didn’t know about this organization…a couple of us are going to check into it. Make sure you give good coverage to the Western Regional APCO Conference in January! You’re speaking there too I see.
I wasn’t able to comment on the article about a one word description. I would use, “Optimistic.” P.
Comment by P.A.H. | September 26, 2009
Tina says: Thanks for the comments! I love them, as you know!
Denise, you should have been there!
Don, thank you for your thoughts. The challenges vary, according to the organization and according to the individual involved–much as in your profession!
Phyllis, I’ll be sure to mention the APCO conference. (For those of you who don’t know those letters, it’s for Association of Public-Safety Communication Officials.) They’re meeting in Denver in January. It’s a large conference with a wide range of topics.
And yes, Phyllis, I’d say “optimistic” would be good for you. Also, “Motivated” or better yet, “Motivational.” T.
Comment by TLR | September 26, 2009
Hi Tina! Thank you so, so much for your work over the years and for your classes in GJ at the conference. The whole conference was great, but I really loved your stories and your approach and attitude. I hope to come to some of your classes. Congratulations on your Lifetime Achievement Award, it was well deserved!
Comment by LavenderLou | September 27, 2009
Congratulations on your Lifetime Achievement Award, you have been a mentor for so many!! Rocky Mountain Women in Law Enforcement is a dream come true for so many of us who helped pioneer women into the law enforcement profession. Thanks for being at the conference and for all you do to help men and women in law enforcement.
Comment by Candace | September 28, 2009
Very impressive. The training topics looked excellent. This is a credit to the founders, current members and participants. I’ve wondered about the value of such groups over the years, but have come to the conclusion that the group itself can make it useful or not. This one seems to be inclusive and helpful for all.
Comment by Bill K. | September 28, 2009
Tina says:
Thanks, LavenderLou 🙂 for your comment. I’ll send information about classes you might be interested in.
Candace, YOU should have been getting the award. You and several others there who deserve such recognition. Thank you for your work!
Bill K, I have shared your concerns in the past, but I agree that this group and a few others show the value of good leadership when it comes to having a useful and open organization. The word you used, “Impressive” certainly fits the RMWLE!
Comment by TLR | September 28, 2009
Sounds like a good time was had by all. I’m thinking of forming a group for people like me, but I don’t know if I could find many others. What do you think?
Comment by wiseacre | September 28, 2009
Hello! The Texas Women in Law Enforcement http://www.twle.com is also very active and has great conferences. We’ll get you there! The Rocky Mountain Women in Law Enforcement conference looked like an excellent one. My congratulations to a good group that is staying successful.
Comment by Barb L. | September 28, 2009
Tina says:
Wiseacre: If you find many more like you, let me know so we can round them up.
Barb: Thank you very much for the link to the Texas Women in Law Enforcement site. 1988? They’ve been around for awhile! T.
Comment by TLR | September 28, 2009
Hi Tina, There is an association of women police in Alaska too. Their website is http://www.womenpoliceofalaska.org. I wish we could get you over here for something. The problem we have is that NENA (which I’m a member of) and other organizations don’t have a lot of members and it’s not easy to get people to visit. Someday maybe!
Comment by Estelle J. | September 29, 2009
Tina says: Thanks Estelle, for commenting. I haven’t heard from you in awhile and I wondered if you were still reading! I’m glad you are!
For those wondering what NENA is, it’s the National Emergency Number Association. http://www.nena.org. Their motto is, “Emergency Help. Anytime, anywhere, any device.” Their mission includes the establishment of a universal emergency number system. A great group and a lot of fun!
Comment by TLR | September 29, 2009
Tina,
I so wanted to attend this, but I was in Kansas City at another training! I hope to attend the next one and will watch for it on your schedule!
I am also sorry to miss your class this week at APCO/NENA, but in the interest of not being a training hog :), I’m sending another of our supervisors and one of our dispatchers. I’m jealous of them but I know they will enjoy your class!
Take care and be well.
Comment by Jennifer | October 4, 2009