Cop Chickfest. Not.
Tim Dees
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com
Given that I don’t fit the demographic, I’ve gotten a lot of odd looks the past couple of days en route to and attending the 44th annual conference of the International Association of Women Police. This is a first time conference for me, but it might be the best-organized police convention I’ve ever seen, including the ones I helped to organize. Sessions begin and end on time, and there is a volunteer shuttle service to take participants just about anywhere they care to go. And, unlike every other cop gathering, people don’t fill meeting room chairs from the back to the front and from the outside rows in.
The opening festivities yesterday included the All Nations Parade, with the delegates in their dress uniforms marching in 4 degrees C (we are in Canada, after all) and a light rain. The Canucks put cops in the States to shame in the dress uniform department. They have a much more military appearance, complete with medals, and you know that somebody official has come to the party.
Canada is a startling place. At first glance, Saskatoon could be any medium-to-large city in the U.S. Everyone drives on the right, the street signs are in English, and there are chain store businesses everywhere that I have always associated with American culture: Sears, Toys ‘R’ Us, McDonalds, Wendy’s. I’m staying at a Radisson Hotel, and there’s a Sheraton and a Hilton Garden Inn close by. Then, when you have forgotten that you’re in a foreign country, someone mentions “hospital” or “holiday” without the American article (”She’s been in hospital for a week.” “We’re going on holiday.”), they say “been” or “about” in a way that rhymes with “bean” or “a toot,” or they end a sentence with that Canadian trademark “eh” (”It takes some getting used to when you’re aboot after having bean in the States, eh?”).
The All Nations Parade was another one of those quietly startling moments. First, try to imagine telling a group of American cops that they were going to be in a parade, marching in formation down a main street in the city. Oh, by the way, you’ll be unarmed. The U.S. cops just wouldn’t come. The Canadians, and the representatives from the other countries represented, had no problem. The U.S. delegates lived with it. I don’t know if gender played a role here, but they didn’t seem bothered by this at all.
The other noteworthy issue was that this parade was to celebrate the police community. The only times I have ever seen this many cops in uniform gathered in one place, it was because someone died. It’s a nice experience to see police officers of any gender or nationality assembled for a happier reason.
Top Ten Male Observations at the IAWP Conference
- At least 500 women who can kick my ass.
- So much estrogen, I haven’t had to shave since I got here.
- Lots of dance partners (no dances, though).
- Really cool police uniforms.
- Dinner conversation at other police conferences: guns, food, and beer.
Dinner conversation here: hairstyles and shoes. - Crowds of women checking out my butt (before exploding with laughter)
- Breakout rooms smell much better.
- Won the “Brought the Fewest Shoes” contest.
- Before starting a session, instructors at most police conferences: check their zipper fly.
Instructors at at IAWP: check for visible bra straps. - No lines in the men’s room.
I’ve lived in Saskatoon for 19 years and I’ve never heard anyone pronounce “about” so it sounded like “aboot”. And “been” rhyming with “bean” … how else would you say that? PS come down to the police station Wednesday or Thursday night and I’ll take you for a ride-along, eh.
I am a member of the IAWP, a long time member. Unfortunatley I was unable to attend the Saskatoon conference. Having been in law enforcement for 27+ years and having attended many training sessions and conferences dominated by my male counterparts, I too agree that IAWP puts on the BEST training conferences, worldwide. We welcome ALL to attend, and become members.
the top male ten observations at the IAWP conference was funny.
Where did you find it? Interesting read
I am so impressed about IAWP Conferences and believes that the 2006 IAWP Conference in Saskatoon Canada was one of the best training conferences I personally have attended. Meanwhile were you in the 2007 IAWP Training Conference in Denver just few days past? Would you be joining us in Australia in 2008? Seattle in 2009? Minneapolis in 2010? Plan to be in future IAWP Conferences and enjoy the networking and association of Women who are devoted to serve like you. See you there!!!