Conference brings together female police officers
It's a first for Guam: hosting the Pacific Islands Chief's of Police Women's Advisory Network Conference.
By KUAM NewsGuam - It's a first for Guam: hosting the Pacific Islands Chief's of Police Women's Advisory Network Conference. "I knew from the time I maybe was in the 11th grade that I wanted to go into law enforcement," said Guam Police Department captain and District I Division Commander Kim Santos.
She's one of more than four dozen female police officers from across the region attending the conference, adding, "Really what they're all about it encouraging greater participation of women in police leadership the recruitment of women in policing, management and delivery of policing service I this region of the world."
According to Dave Potaka. assigned to the Pacific Island Chiefs of Police Secretariat in Wellington, New Zealand, more than 20 countries are represented at the two-day conference. "The theme of the conference is promoting change and that's all about how change can impact on an organization such as the women advisory network and how they can actually make changes in their jurisdictions' for the better of women in policing, so we hope they can take home some techniques some experiences on how they can influence their commissioners, their chiefs and even perhaps their politicians to make changes within the jurisdictions," he said.
The organization was established ten years ago with a goal of promoting cooperation and collaboration between police services in the Pacific Region. It also serves as a vehicle to help promote and inspire other women to answer the call to duty. Santos said, "I believe police work really is a calling. It's not easy and especially as a female, I've had to overcome a few barriers but other than that it's been an exciting career. It's challenging and it's exciting."
She concluded, "I'd like to encourage the women of Guam if they have any sort of interest in law enforcement not to let fear hold you back. I know fear is paralyzing, but you've got to overcome that and truly and never give up."
The conference continues tomorrow at The Marriot.