OCP and RCIPS Leaders Attend IAWP Summit in Omaha, USA

A contingent of Office of the Commissioner of Police and RCIPS staff travelled to the United States at the end of March to attend the 2023 International Association of Women Police Summit in Omaha, Nebraska. The three senior leaders, Deputy Commissioner Kurt Walton, Deputy Chief Officer Nancy Barnard, and Superintendent Wendy Parchment, joined policing leaders from across the world to discuss and address issues currently facing female police officers and female civilian staff.

Superintendent Parchment said, “the Summit created a platform to address equality, diversity, leadership and community interactions, which are key priorities aligned with the RCIPS Strategic 3 year plan. The Summit identified Policewomen worldwide who faced similar challenges and struggles to thrive within the workplace by remaining resilient. These women exercised good judgement, worked diligently and succeeded on their own merit, which is wholesome and a reward in itself.

The Summit addressed several issues including Imposter Syndrome, Mental Health and Recruitment and Retention of Women in the Police Service, all of which are being addressed by the Strategic Leadership Team at RCIPS.”

DCP Walton was pleased to attend, saying, “the RCIPS is committed to encouraging women to join and progress in the organisation and we continue to promote a supportive work environment for women in order to ensure gender equality.”

DCO Barnard remarked, “having the United Nations as one of the Summit partners strengthened the strategic and global reach of the topics covered. There will be a lot of work to (continue) to be progressed to ensure equity between men and women in policing and indeed all aspects of career progression. Locally, we look forward to implementing a Gender Responsive Policing Strategy and also to paying more attention to wellness where women’s health and wellness issues are concerned.

The contingent’s attendance at the Summit was sponsored in part by the UK Conflict, Stability and Security Fund and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, which will continue to facilitate growth and development opportunities for the police services in all of the British Overseas Territories, and are supporting the continued development of women in policing.

“We really appreciate the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office for sending us to this conference, and Chief Officer and Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne’s ongoing support of these efforts,” DCO Barnard added.