IAWP ANNUAL "OFFICER of the YEAR" AWARDS PROGRAMS

Purpose:

To recognize women officers who by their overall service and accomplishments throughout their careers, have distinguished themselves in areas of leadership, community service, mentoring and excellence in performance.

• The recipients of the "Officer of the Year Award" must be the winner(s) of an affiliate "Officer of the Year Award" for that year or Regional Coordinators may submit candidates from within their regions.
  
• The IAWP will make a presentation at the annual conference to each of the honorees present.
  
• Award winner's conference fees shall be considered a conference expense and for accounting purposes, the Conference Director shall assess the value of the conference fees at the lowest rate offered or equivalent to the Board rate.

These Awards are to be presented to women police officers (licensed and commissioned), who have distinguished themselves in the following categories:

Officer of the Year

To be awarded to an officer, who by her overall service and accomplishments throughout her career distinguishes herself in the four areas of leadership, community service, mentoring and excellence in performance.

Excellence in Performance

To be awarded to an officer who distinguishes herself through superior attention to duty or outstanding investigative effort, which leads to the identification, location, or arrest of a major criminal or criminal activity.

Mary Jo Blahowski Leadership

To be awarded to an officer who distinguishes herself by superior accomplishments or continuing, long term involvement, using leadership skills that encompass but are not limited to problem solving, planning, organizational, communication and/or administrative which make a significant contribution within the agency or the law enforcement mission.

Mentoring

To be awarded to an officer, who distinguishes herself with her support and assistance to women in law enforcement, development of programs or policies favorable to women, serving on committees or organizations that review women's issues.

Medal of Valor

To be awarded to any officer who distinguishes herself by an act of bravery or heroism, at risk of her own personal safety or in the face of great danger, above and beyond the call of duty. The Medal of Valor may be awarded to as many nominated officers as qualify.

Community Service

To be awarded to an officer who distinguishes herself by superior accomplishments through developing, designing, implementing and participating in programs involving communities, which include neighborhoods, school, community meetings, and businesses.

Civilian Achievement Award

To be awarded for outstanding achievement by a civilian woman that has gone above and beyond to support, promote and enhance the criminal justice profession.