Women Leading the Way in Policing

Women in policing from across the country joined in the week-long International Association of Chief of Police (IACP) Women’s Leadership Institute training at the Toronto Police College.

“We are preparing women in leadership, training in the principles around leadership itself and providing case studies and scenarios to better lead,” said Diamond Winstead, the Women’s Leadership Institute Coordinator.  “No matter your role, leadership skills and traits are relevant… We want our people to be motivated and be courageous in their roles to be prepared for future challenges.” 

She said the women leaders also get a chance to see different perspectives from peers at other police services and create networks that will last years and lead to future career development.

The curriculum is focused on teaching participants evidence-informed leadership theories to help them inspire followers, lead groups, and achieve organizational goals—all in the context of better understanding the unique challenges women face in the workplace.

Curriculum focus includes:

- Individual Differences
- Understanding Human Motivation
- Leading Teams, Organizations and Change
- Ethical Organizations
- Emotional Intelligence
- Networking and Mentorship

Chief Myron Demkiw welcomed the first IACP training collaboration to take place since opening the IACP Training Center at the College last month.

“Leadership is a practice, it’s a commitment and responsibility, it can come with different personalities and styles, it is about making a difference and inspiring others,” Demkiw said, noting that almost half of Toronto Police management, among both civilians and police officers, is made up of women. “It’s been an intentional journey for us. Developing and training leaders is necessary for the health and the resilience of our organization, we want to provide more tools for women leaders.”

He said Toronto and police services across North America have high rates of retirement eligibility across their highest ranks.

“This will mean a lot of opportunities ahead,” Demkiw said. “It’s our shared responsibility to make sure we provide the mentorship and training required so our people are ready to fill this gap — including women leaders. It’s important for our recruitment efforts. There are a lot of great opportunities in policing and young recruits need to know if they are ready to step up and work hard that will do everything we can to help them succeed.”

The Toronto Police Service’s strategic and collaborative partnership with the International Association of Chiefs of Police marks a significant milestone in advancing professional development within the policing community. The establishment of the IACP Training Center in Toronto enhances the Service’s international footprint and provides valuable training opportunities for both Service members and policing professionals worldwide. This partnership reflects the Service’s commitment to fostering leadership, innovation, and professional growth, ensuring that officers are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the evolving challenges of modern policing.