SEPCA Executive Director Presents WPON at the 119th Annual International Association of Chief Police Conference in San Diego

Zlatko Miletic, Executive Director of the Southeast Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA), attended the 119th Annual International Association of Chief Police (IACP) Conference in San Diego, USA where he presented the activities of both SEPCA and Women Police Officers Network (WPON), and particularly the newly published Guidelines for Gender Sensitive Policing Practice with a Particular Focus on Recruitment, Selection and Professional Development of Women in Police Services.

Mr. Miletic presented at a workshop titled: “Global Police Reform Strategies for Diversifying and Mainstreaming Female Officers into All Areas of Police Service” together with the representatives of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and Office of Criminal Justice Assistance and Partnerships (INL/CAP).

The workshop was a part of the International Managers of Police and College Trainers (IMPACT) Track of workshop. The objectives of the workshop were to identify ways in which female officers are marginalized within police agencies, discuss effective diversification strategies, and identify approaches to inclusiveness that could be implemented by police agency.

The Guidelines presented by Mr. Miletic were specifically designed to outline concrete and simple steps that can help better integration of women in the police services in Southeast Europe and are based on the data collected by 8 police services, members of the Southeast Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA). Specifically, the guidelines aim to:

1.    Identify the challenges in the process of recruitment, selection and professional  development of women in the police services of Southeast Europe
2.    Develop a greater understanding of the problems that women face within the police services;
3.    Foster the exchange of information and good practice in this area; and
4.    Define measures that can improve the existing practice.

The workshop was a valuable opportunity for those who are actively involved in advocating for full participation of female officers in the work police departments, and who are seen as examples in this global effort, to share their experiences and lessons learned.

Mr. Miletic's presentation was well received by the conference participants who expressed their support for WPON and other SEPCA guided projects, and willingness to support continued implementation of the project.

Mandates and political pressures have required many police departments to hire woman police officers; some departments see this as obligatory, both in the US and internationally. Too often these women officers are not being utilized to their fullest potential. Experience and research indicate that women in leadership and decision-making roles are essential to maintaining stability, prosperity, peace and security throughout the world. Women make profound contributions in these areas; yet, females still represent only a small percent of police forces worldwide.

Several nations have undertaken police reform initiatives, which include examining recruitment, gender roles, social barriers, training police leadership, and assessing internal police culture. By effectively highlighting the importance of inclusion and mainstreaming women into all areas of police service the departments, the presence of women police can strengthen reforming police forces and have significant impact on the police services.