IAWP to hold 47th Annual Training Conference in Washington

The International Association of Women Police (IAWP) will hold its 47^th Annual Training Conference in Seattle, Washington, September 20—24, 2009. The conference will bring together hundreds of law enforcement officers from more than 45 countries to participate in training programs that promote leadership, professional development, diversity and networking opportunities.

Media is invited to the spectacular opening ceremonial parade from the Westin Seattle to Town Hall in which hundreds of officers from agencies in the United States, Europe, China, Australia, South America, among other countries, will wear their Class A dress uniforms. The parade will end at Town Hall, where state and local dignitaries will welcome the attendees in a ceremony of great pageantry.

Schedule of events for opening ceremonies:

September 20, 2009

9:00 a.m.
Parade assembles at the Westin Seattle, 1900 Fifth Avenue

10:00 a.m.
Begin parade, half-mile route to end at Town Hall, 1119 8^th Avenue

11:00 a.m.
State and local dignitaries welcome attendees in Town Hall, welcome ceremony begins

“It’s been more than 30 years since Seattle last hosted an IAWP training conference; we are thrilled to have the international spotlight on our city once again for this exciting and valuable week of peer and leadership meetings. The conference is an outstanding platform for police officers from around the world to exchange ideas and support their peers,” said King County Master Police Officer Beth Lavin, IAWP Training Conference Director. “We encourage the media to attend the opening ceremonies – the parade from the Westin Seattle to Town Hall will be a dazzling celebration of pride and solidarity of women in law enforcement from dozens of countries; it will be a grand display of unity.”

Conference Keynote Speaker:

Colonel Katherine N. Miller
Commander of the United States Army Corrections Command and the Deputy Provost Marshal General

Conference Special Guest Keynote Speaker:

Ann Rule, famed true crime writer and author of 20 books, former Seattle Police officer

Medals of Valor

On Wednesday, September 23, 2009, the IAWP conference will honor two fallen police officers with the IAWP Medal of Valor. Skagit County Deputy Anne Jackson was killed in the line of duty September 2, 2008, in Alger, Washington. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer Kristine Fairbanks was killed on September 20, 2008, in Forks, Washington. Both will be honored during the Awards Luncheon. Media is invited to attend but must be added to the Media List for this event.

Silent Auction to Benefit Seattle Children’s Hospital

Proceeds from the IAWP silent auction will be donated to Seattle Children’s Hospital.