Awards Information

The Kentucky Women’s Law Enforcement Network is now accepting nominations for the annual awards recognition program. Awards are presented annually during the KWLEN Training Conference. The established awards and criteria are:

Public Safety Departmental Award

This award will be given to an organization that works to promote enthusiasm, harmony, gender equity and diversity in the organization and community as a whole. The nominee demonstrated an open attitude, attentiveness to community needs and concerns and a commitment to equitable treatment and the promotion of diversity.

Member of the Year Award

This award will be given to an individual who is a member in good standing of KWLEN and who has given direct and extraordinary support to KWLEN. This support includes but is not limited to the following: efforts such as, advancing public awareness of KWLEN, serving on or providing support to KWLEN committees, leading or developing KWLEN initiatives or processes, identifying or establishing new services, or demonstrating a significant level of commitment to the organization. Significant contributions through dynamic and innovative leadership; mentoring support, and providing guidance to other women in the field; exceptional promotion of KWLEN; made an important and valued contribution to KWLEN.

Lifetime Achievement Award (Founder’s Award)

This award will be given to those from any field including, academia, business, government, public safety or law enforcement.Nominees must have no less than 20 years in direct support and/or service to the law enforcement community. Nominees should also be able to demonstrate a measurable support to KWLEN. Nominees must have made significant and meritorious contributions to the law enforcement community during her/his career. Professional actions or achievement that would qualify a nominee include but are not limited to the following: advanced, nurtured, and promoted the law enforcement profession; achieved notable publicity as a result of personal accomplishments; achieved recognition and respect from others (academic, government, etc.); improved public understanding of the law enforcement community; practiced and advanced high ethical and professional standards.

Scholarship information

Kentucky Women’s Law Enforcement Network is pleased to offer TWO scholarships to officers who have not attended a KWLEN conference in the past.  The scholarships will include registration fees for the conference (this includes a one year membership to KWLEN as well) and two nights lodging, double occupancy.  

New this year is the official naming of one of the scholarships as the Detective Deidre Mengedoht Memorial Scholarship which honors the Louisville Detective who was killed in the line of duty on December 24, 2018. “Dee Dee” was honored with the 2013 KWLEN Officer of the year award for her work within the community she served.
 
To apply for these scholarships, applicants need to include a letter describing their interest in attending the conference, the benefits they hope to receive from attending, and their interest in participating in the Kentucky Women’s Law Enforcement Network.  A letter of support to attend the KWLEN Conference from the applicant’s supervisor must also be submitted. Please include a conference registration form in your submission.
 
Applications should be submitted to:   KWLEN1999@gmail.com or can be submitted using the below form. Please make sure you indicate which scholarship you are applying for, and submit your request before August 1, 2022.

Applications that fail to include any of the above requirements will not be considered for either scholarship.

Our Goals

•Encourage members to set and actively pursue their own goals.
•Create a program for mentoring women in law enforcement.
•Provide a mechanism of advocacy and support for its members to voice
concerns and address issues
•Provide training that will develop its members.
•Establish a network of professionals to serve as a resource for developing skills,
professionalism and effective leadership.
•Assist and support its members in maintaining the balance between their
professional and personal lives.

About Kwlen

Our mission is to bring together law enforcement professionals, educators, support personnel, and individuals seeking law enforcement careers to benefit from our organization’s mentoring programs and expose them to statewide law enforcement issues. Our membership includes men and women from local, state and federal agencies, as well as educators, students and civilian personnel from within the criminal justice system. This diverse group allows our membership to enjoy networking and training opportunities. Many talented and experienced members offer unparalleled support to one another.