RCMP J Division | Fredericton
Kathy graduated from Acadia University in 1974 and completed the correctional worker program at Sheridan College before joining the RCMP in 1977. She served the citizens of New Brunswick until she retired in 2003 after 26 years of service. Kathy was a member of the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) and a strong advocate for the protection of women and children. She was chairperson for the first RCMP female police officer conference in “J” Division in 1993, where she received great support and encouragement from Chief Superintendent Roy Berlinquette. Her goal was to learn more about the issues women faced create change so that all could benefit from the workplace. This event saw 30 female invitees come together for two days to explore women’s issues within the policing environment and to develop a better understanding of how to create a healthy work environment for all.
Kathy became the first President of Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement in 1998 serving in that position until 2001. As the outgoing President at the Moncton conference 2001, Kathy was recognized for her contributions to women in law enforcement and presented with a water painting by Marilyn Kellough of Mahone Bay, NS. Kathy retired from the RCMP in 2003.
In Kathy’s words, “You should all be proud of your continual efforts to enhance the role of women in the law enforcement profession. Hopefully, the younger women will recognize the significance of A.W.L.E. and are encouraged to become involved and continue the tradition. It is an organization founded on the desire to work together equally and inclusively to achieve excellence in your profession for all members.”
Halifax Regional Police
Lisa joined Halifax Police Department in 1990 serving almost 15 years as a sworn police officer with 13 years at Halifax Regional Police and then as Deputy Chief at Canadian Pacific Police Service (Calgary). She spent the remainder of her career with the Nova Scotia Department of Justice as a senior policing consultant and as a Civilian Member of the RCMP. Lisa completed a Master of Arts degree examining women’s experience in law enforcement within Atlantic Canada. The thesis research stemmed from surveying female police officers attending the annual “women in policing” conference at Saint John, NB. Women representing RCMP, Military Police, municipal and town police agencies participated, and the results of the study were reported at the 1997 CFB Shearwater, NS conference.
Throughout her career Lisa has advocated for women’s issues. Based on this work Lisa was recognized with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award, the Rotary Wheel Award (Halifax Rotary Club), the Women of Excellence Award (Canadian Progress Club Halifax Citadel) and Mentoring Award (AWLE). Lisa also represented Halifax Regional Police participating in a 5-week Group Study Exchange with Rotary International to study policing in India. In 2004, Lisa was recognized by her female peers at Halifax Regional Police for her support and guidance to women in law enforcement; in 30+ years of public service, this remains the highlight of her career.
Lisa served as the first Vice-President of Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement in 1998, and as the second President of AWLE from 2001 to 2004.
RCMP H Division | Halifax
Dianne served with the RCMP and joined AWLE as its first Secretary from 1998-2001.
Saint John Police Force
Liz was born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and attended the Atlantic Police Academy. She joined the Saint John Police Force in January 1974, and in 2000 became the first female promoted to Sergeant in the organization’s 150-year history. Liz was introduced to the early conferences through her colleague and friend, Carmel Phillips, who also served with Saint John Police Force. Liz held the position of Treasurer with the Saint John Police Protective Association and was a member of the Board for the Bayview Credit Union. She brought this experience to the AWLE Executive, holding the first position as Treasurer. Remaining in this position for 10 years, Liz brought her energy and enthusiasm to every meeting and contributed to building the foundational elements of AWLE throughout her tenure. As mentioned in our highlights section, Liz was the first recipient of the “Top Cop Award” and considers this to be a highlight of her policing career.
Halifax Regional Police
Sandy joined Halifax Regional Police in 1991 after graduating from the Atlantic Police Academy and served for three years with AWLE as the first Notebook editor.
Halifax Regional Police
Carol joined HRP in April 1989, after graduating from the Halifax City Police In-house training program, and retired with 33 years of service in April 2022, working patrol, Criminal Investigations Division (Financial Crime/Fraud) and four different secondments – NS Department of Justice, CISNS (RCMP), CSIS, and Provincial Proceeds of Crime (RCMP). She served as Secretary for AWLE for two terms, from October 2001 to November 2007 and has been a major investor in AWLE from its very beginnings. Carol contributed significantly at AWLE’s inception, attending meetings and helping to organize the association. Carol also organized, developed and directed the AWLE Awards Program from its inception until the end of the 2020. That was not an easy feat as it involved a lot of planning and succinct execution for it to be successful every year.
Carol received the AWLE Officer of the Year Award in 2010 and the AWLE Mentoring Award in 2011.
Canadian Forces Military Police
Charlotte joined the Canadian Forces in 1975 and was among the group of women recruited into the Military Police (MP) trade after it opened to women in 1974.
After training, she was the second woman ever posted to the MP Section CFB Petawawa. She joined her husband in CFB Toronto in 1976. She took her release from the military in December 1979. After taking time away, Charlotte worked a full time Reserve contract in November 1987 at the CFB Borden Military Police Detachment. In June 1988, she re-enrolled in the Regular Force, and was posted to CFB Trenton. Postings included CFB Shearwater in 1993, and CFB Halifax in 1997. During this time, she was at the forefront of the association, representing the Military Police on our board as we grew into AWLE. In 1996 she attended the “Atlantic Conference on Women in Policing” held in Saint John. As a result, in 1997 the Women in Policing Conference was hosted by the Military Police at CFB Shearwater. Charlotte was part of the group of women that met once the conference ended. Charlotte went on to attend the 1998 conference in Fredericton, and at the conference held in Halifax in 2000 she spoke about her experience while in East Timor on an International Peacekeeping mission in 1999/2000.
Her military career continued with postings to the CAF National Counter Intelligence Unit Ottawa, 2001, CAF Air Marshal Unit Ottawa 2005, CAF Military Security Guard Unit Nigeria 2006, and to CFB Trenton MP Detachment as Police Operations Warrant Officer 2008. She deployed internationally based in the Arabian Peninsula in support of Op Medusa Afghanistan 2002/03, and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan 2004/05.
She retired from the CAF in August 2010, having served for 27 years.
RCMP H Division | NS
Angela joined the RCMP in November 1989 and was posted to H Division in February 1991. She began attending the women in policing conferences (pre-AWLE) in 1994. She has always been a strong advocate for women and helped to establish the Commanding Officer’s (CO) Women’s Advisory Committee in H Division by establishing the mandate/charter terms of reference, nominating the initial committee, and volunteering with the committee for several years after.
Angela and Charlotte Russell co-chaired the Atlantic Women’s conference at CFB Shearwater in 1997, and along with a crew of like-minded volunteers made it the launch pad for the beginnings of AWLE. For five years after that conference, Angela organized an annual one-day professional development workshop for women in policing. It remained popular, but kept getting bigger each year and was too hard to maintain alone. Subsequently, Angela turned the initiative over to the CO’s Women’s Advisory committee to organize which ran successfully for many years.
Angela received the AWLE Mentoring Award in 2003.
