14th Annual Conference for Women Police in Portland

A two days prestigious conference for women police officers started today in Portland. The National Center for Women & Policing is holding its 14th annual conference. The discussion topics include, women working as an officer while pregnant, child care and elder care, officer-involved domestic violence, equipment, recruitment and retention. This conference will recognize the earnest contribution of women police officers and award women cops for their outstanding performances. The conference is being hosted by the Portland Police Department and Maine State Police. Nearly 100 women police officers are attending this conference in Portland.

Lifetime achievement award will be presented to Maine Public Safety Commissioner Anne H Jordan. Ms. Jordan was appointed as the Commissioner of Public safety for the State of Maine in March 2007. She is the first women to hold this post. Ms. Jordan graduated from Kennebunk High School, received her B.A. in political science from the University of Southern Maine. She earned her J.D. from the University of Maine, School of Law. Before joining administration, Anne Jordan worked as a partner at the firm of Norman Hanson and DeTroy. At Norman and DeTroy, she practiced trial law in the areas of insurance fraud, mediation and dispute resolution, animal welfare and domestic relations. She was the chairperson of the Pardon Board since 2000. Ms. Jordan has six years of experience as a prosecutor with the York County District Attorney’s Office. She has been a member of the Maine Harness Racing Commission and the Animal Welfare Advisory Council.

In an interview with Portland Press, police personnel director Clarkson Woodward said "Departments need to be aware of quality-of-life issues that touch on retention." Out of 154 police officers in Portland 18 are women police officers including one lieutenant and one sergeant. Sheriff Donna Dennison, Maine's only female sheriff said " "I think women have to prove themselves," she said “It's been mainly men running things. I think women need to step up to the plate and prove they can do it."

The other award recipients are; Los Angeles County Sherriff - Commander Marilyn Baker, University of Southern Maine police - Chief Lisa Beecher, South Portland Police - Deputy Chief Amy Berry, Blacksburg police - Chief Kimberly Crannis Public Affairs, Drug Enforcement - Chief Mary I Cooper, Essex County sheriff - Deputy Assistant Superintendent Carrie Keating, Boston Police - Captain Genevieve King, Fairfax County police - Captain Cindy McAlister and Los Angeles County sheriff - Commander Margaret A. Ruiz Wagner.

Digitek attorney , James T. Capretz congratulated the award winners and said "It is a great honor to have such women officers in the United States." Charlotte bankruptcy lawyer said "This conference is a good attempt to recognize the contributions of women who are making a remarkable difference in the law order & security of the country."