Ottawa police hosting forum to celebrate women in policing

Saturday marks International Women’s Day, and the Ottawa Police Service is hosting a forum to celebrate women in policing. (Ottawa Police Service/ handout)

Saturday marks International Women’s Day, and the Ottawa Police Service is hosting a forum to celebrate women in policing.

A Three-day forum started in a virtual on boarding session Tuesday. On Friday, keynote speakers and panelists from the city’s police service were hosted. The forum will conclude Saturday in an in-person event from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Algonquin College “P” building. Participants will have access to free parking.

“Participants can try on equipment, sit in a police cruiser, watch a simulation exercise and even attempt to successfully complete the fitness requirement allowing them to apply on the spot!” reads the city’s police service’s website.

Participants will also be able to apply on the spot and take part in the fitness test.

They will have the opportunity to connect with police officers and hear from leaders and community advocates, while learning about the evolving role of women in policing.

“Celebrate International Women’s Day with us and be part of the legacy of women in policing!” Ottawa police said in a news release Thursday.

Participants are asked to register here.

The city’s police service has a long history of women in policing, including Flora Ann Campbell who started in 1913 and Alice Goyette in 1936. A scholarship to support Indigenous and racialized women in policing was established in 1993 by chief Thomas G. Flanagan.