National Forum on Women in Policing:
Addressing Key Obstacles Through Proven Models

October 16th & 17th, 2008 at the Fairmount Château Laurier, Ottawa, ON
 
9:00

Welcome and Introduction

Supt Shirley Cuillierrier l National Aboriginal Policing Services Branch, RCMP
D/Chief Susan O'Sullivan l Operations Support, Ottawa Police Service

 

Policing and Diversity

9:10 Competitive Advantages of a Truly Diverse Police Force: The Crucial Role of Women
J. Phillip Murray l Commissioner (Rt'd), RCMP
J. Philip Murray Strategic Advisors Inc.
Introduced by his daughter, Cst Keri Hatfield, Kingston RCMP
  • The unique and beneficial policing styles of minority groups: Women, visible minorities, First Nations, those with experience in other policing systems
  • Building and using the strengths of a police force that reflects the diversity of the population it serves
  • Examining the big picture: What are the ultimate objectives with regard to diversity in Canadian law enforcement?
  • The unique style of women law enforcement officers: Handling crimes of domestic violence and rape, building relationships and partnerships, peacekeeping
  • Where we have been and where we are going with regard to women in policing?
9:50 Questions and Discussion
 

The New Landscape for Women in Canadian Policing – External and Internal Factors

10:00 The Other Climate Change: Women and Organizational Climate Change in Policing

Dr. Eli Sopow l E-Division Headquarters, RCMP

  • The new policing landscape: Recent statistics and reports indicating shifts in the needs, demands and public expectations of police performance
  • Internal factors: Crises in recruitment, the impact of a rapid communications environment
  • The role of women as leaders of organizational change

10:40

Questions & Discussion
10:50 Refreshment Adjournment
 
11:10 Promotion and Development: What
Qualities Do You Need to be a Police Chief?

Janet E. Soles l Hamilton Hall Soles/Ray & Berndtson

  • What is the criteria in searching out Chief of Police candidates?
  • Who is being called for executive roles and why?
  • What professional experience stands out and why?

11:50

Questions and Discussion

12:00

Luncheon Adjournment
 

Male Perspectives on how Women Police in Canada

1:30 The Evolving Role of Female
Police Officers in Canada

C/Supt Doug Reti l National Aboriginal Policing Services Branch, RCMP
D/Dir Gen Steven Chabot l Sûreté du Québec
Chief Vernon White l Ottawa Police Service

  • The changes over the last three generations
  • Changes in assignments
  • Challenges – what has changed?
  • Strengths: Unique and beneficial styles – evolution of strengths and developments in terms of opportunities
2:45 Questions and Discussion
2:55 Refreshment Adjournment
 

Best Practices For Addressing Core Issues

3:10 Successful Models for Improving the Status of Women in Policing

C/Supt Kate Lines l Investigation & Support Bureau Ontario Provincial Police

  • A personal perspecitve on challenges and opportunities
  • Policy, practices and programs: Strategies for outreach, recruitment, retention and promotion of women in policing
  • Measuring success and lessons learned

3:50

Questions & Discussion
 

International Developments And Lessons

4:00 International Trends and Global Issues for
Women in Policing

D/Chief Inspector Gwen Boniface l Commissioner (Rt'd), Ontario Provincial Police, and Garda Síochána Inspectorate

  • Current trends at the global level
  • Examples from abroad – Ireland and beyond
  • Lessons learned: Bringing world lessons home to Canada

4:50

Questions & Discussion

5:00

Conference Concludes for Day One
 
The Agenda - October 17th, 2008
9:00

Welcome and Introduction to Day Two

Supt Shirley Cuillierrier l National Aboriginal Policing Services Branch, RCMP
D/Chief Susan O'Sullivan l Operations Support, Ottawa Police Service

 

Faculty Roundtable

9:10 Looking to the Future: How to Keep and Develop the
Talents of Women in the Policing Workforce
 

Streams of Specialty: The Unique and Beneficial
Style of Women in Policing

9:40 Communication Style and Relationship Building

Det Cst Linda Stewart l Vancouver Police Department

  • External and internal communication – illustrative case studies including responding to crisis, public relations and approaches to management issues
  • The role of secondments with other police agencies and the greater benefit to the police force at large

10:15

Questions & Discussion

10:25

Refreshment Adjournment
 
10:40 Sex Crimes

Det Wendy Leaver l Toronto Police Service

  • The experience of starting the Special Victims Unit, Toronto Police Service
  • Passion/compassion
  • Victim outreach
  • Myths
  • Changing attitudes
  • Successes and lessons learned
  • Measuring success

11:15

Questions & Discussion
 
11:25 Peacekeeping Through Conflict/Crisis

Sgt Debbie Bodkin l Waterloo Regional Police

  • Taking your policing expertise outside the comfortable confines of Canada
  • A positive, life changing experience both personally and professionally

12:00

Questions and Discussion

12:10

Luncheon Adjournment
 

A Two-Part Legal Update

1:30 Protection of Human Rights

Christine E. Silverberg l Chief of Police (Rt'd), Calgary Police Service
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP

  • A look inside: Promoting the full participation of women in police agencies
  • A look outside: Promoting and defending human rights in our communities
1:30 Legal Developments in Police Liability

Christine E. Silverberg l Chief of Police (Rt'd), Calgary Police Service
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP

  • Trends and developments in police liability

2:35

Questions & Discussion

2:45

Refreshment Adjournment
 

Issues and Success Stories in Specific Contexts

3:00 Women in Urban Policing:
Major Challenges and Breakthroughs

D/Chief Susan O’Sullivan l Operations Support, Ottawa Police Service

  • Core issues facing women policing urban centers
  • Success stories from the urban context
  • Drawing on the special competencies of women police officers

3:40

Questions & Discussion
 
3:50 Women Policing Remote Regions:
Major Challenges and Breakthroughs

Cst Yvonne Niego l National Aboriginal Policing Services Branch, RCMP

  • Policing Aboriginal communities
  • The major issues and obstacles facing women policing
    remote communities
  • Living and working within distinct communities – engage, relate and incorporate

4:30

Questions & Discussion

4:45

Chairs' Closing Comments

4:30

Conference Concludes
 

Sponsorship

Our thanks to the Public Safety Division, Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Government of Ontario

Government of Ontario