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Empowering Women in Public Safety
We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value
Maya Angelo
Our History
In early 2016, then Assistant Deputy Minister of Status of Women Alberta, Kim Armstrong, sought to bring together executive women in policing in the Province for a discussion on the issues unique to women in policing in Alberta. At that time, she reached out to the three large police agencies in the Province and invited women at the senior leadership level to meet. At that first meeting, there were 12 women, four from each agency. The most startling realization from the first meeting was that none of the women knew each other prior to that day. It was quickly evident from the beginning that there was a strong desire to continue meeting and to formalize the group in some way.
From those early beginnings, it was apparent that there was much work to do to organize the group in a more formal way and create a vision for what we wanted to be and what we hoped to achieve. With the ongoing support of A/DM Armstrong and Status of Women and the help of our facilitator, Jen Beyer from the Community Development Unit of the Province of Alberta, we have been able to solidify our vision for AWIPS and begin doing work to advance that vision.
200+
Members
Women supporting women
50+
Volunteers
Uniting Hearts and Actions
10+
Awards
Honoring the extraordinary womens
Our Vision
Strengthening and Advancing Women Leaders in Alberta's Public Safety Sector.
Our Colours
Alberta’s colours are blue and gold to represent the prairies, mountains and the sky. The morning star acknowledges Indigenous people as it’s part of traditional creation teachings, for many nations.
Our Goal
Create an inclusive culture that supports the growth and development of women in Alberta’s public safety community.
Our Impact
AWIPS (Alberta Women in Public Safety) has made a lasting impact by creating a supportive network for women in Alberta’s public safety sector. Founded in 2016, the organization began with a small group of senior women leaders who recognized the need for connection and advocacy. AWIPS now fosters growth through mentorship, events, conferences, and awards that empower women to succeed in policing and public safety roles.
By addressing unique challenges and promoting inclusivity, AWIPS has created a space where women can thrive, connect, and lead. Its efforts continue to drive gender equality and strengthen leadership representation across Alberta’s public safety community.
Meet
Our
Board
Members
Our Corporate Partnerships
Don't think about making women fit the world — think about making the world fit women
Our Mission
AWIPS supports, connects and mentors women across agencies and advocates for women in Alberta’s public safety community.