Christmas Greetings from Region 13

Greetings to all region 13 members and other readers.  At the end of the year its time to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Especially as 2015 is so important for us as we host the centenary conference of IAWP in Cardiff from 23rd - 27th August 2015.  Have you registered yet?  You save yourself £50 by booking before January 1st 2015.  Don't worry if this is your first conference as you will soon get into the swing of it and enjoy making new friends as well as getting great training.  If you cannot afford to attend, how about applying for the Scholarship when that is advertised?  That pays all the expenses and registration fee for the recipient.  Several European officers have been that fortunate in the recent past.  Could it be you next time?   Don't forget if you have any ideas for training, please don't hesitate to get back to me as soon as possible as the training programme is nearly complete. 

It is also election year which you should have picked up from the latest magazine and IAWP Emails.  I'm not standing for Region 13 this time so its open for any of you to stand. The role involves attending Board meetings at your own expense (but we do understand if you cannot make a meeting), writing this blog, keeping in contact with members, contributing articles to the magazine, offering adivce to officers, members, Police Forces,etc that contact you for adivce.  Its a great opportunity to increase membership and your policing skills by contributing to the international Police famaily.   The only qualifications are that you are a current member of IAWP and have been for at least two years.  Plus attended one conference to date.  I am available to mentor you.  As is the 3rd Vice President, whoever that will be after the elections.  I am hoping to still be on the Board as I am running for Recording Secretary for Board meetings.  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you want information on the role or how to nominate yourself.

The Winnipeg conference was great fun and saw a good European contingent in attendance especially from Cardiff 2015 planning team. 

Will we see you in next year's conference photos?  Full details on the web site www.iawp2015.org .

There were three British recipients of IAWP awards this year.  Congratulations to Inspector Hazel Brady, Northern Ireland for Commuity; Detective Constable Clare Cresswell, Warwickshire for Excellence in Performance and Police Community Support Officer Guinnie Mooneesawmy, London for Civilian Achievement.  So why are there British winners every year?  Because we enter every year.  Our nominations are all the winners from the British Association for Women in Policing annual awards.  Your country may not have an awards scheme, but you can nominate anyone who fits the critieria.  They do not have to be a member of IAWP.  Do you have an outstanding female colleague atwork? Why not nominate them?  The nominations will close towards the end of March 2015. Have a go this year and you never know what you might achieve. 

Talking of Britain, congratulations as they celebrate 100 years of British Policewomen in 2015.  This will be marked with an exhibition in Cardiff.  So when were the first policewomen appointed in your country?  IAWP will also hold an exhibition to mark their centenary.  Maybe you can contribute to it.  Further details will come out from the new Historian in the New Year via emails and the magazine.  Watch this space!

All thats left is for me to wish you and your family a very happy new year.  Keep up the good work in your stations and keep safe.

Best Regards,
Julia Jaeger

Region 13 Coordinator