AWIPON Workshop
​Ottawa

• 130 police women attendees from 37 police services from across Ontario
• Female police leaders from Constable to Chief with varied experience and years of service
• Municipal, Provincial, Federal and Indigenous police services represented
• Participants engaged in open and transparent discussion about gender in policing, barriers and challenges
• The Canadian Society of Evidence Based Policing collected responses for analytic purposes

Strong female Police leaders and role models sharing experience and advice:

• Chief K. Greenwood - Barrie Police
• Chief A. McNeely - Kingston Police 
• Deputy Commissioner J. Strachan - Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Barriers Identified 

1. Work/life balance and socio-cultural expectations based on gender 
2. Inconsistent support for maternity leaves and return to work
3. Perception that promotion based on gender not merit
4. Systemic barriers that impact perception about competence and abilities and therefore career development
5. Lack of visible consistent commitment from senior leadership to address the topic

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A heartfelt thank you to the Ottawa Police Service, OWLE and the Ontario Association of Chief's of Police. Without your support this would not have been possible. We are truly indebted.

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