Honoring National Police Week and Celebrating 25 Years of Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE)
Summary
In this episode of FEDtalk, hosts Natalia Castro and Jason Briefel are joined by Catrina Bonus and Jessie Lane from Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE) to discuss National Police Week and the 25th anniversary of WIFLE. They talk about the history and mission of WIFLE, which is dedicated to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in federal law enforcement. They also highlight the various programs and initiatives that WIFLE has implemented to support women in law enforcement, including community engagement, mentorship, and partnerships with federal agencies, military organizations, and international partners. The conversation also touches on the importance of diversity and inclusion in law enforcement and the significance of National Police Week in honoring fallen officers. The conversation highlights the importance of gender diversity in law enforcement and the efforts of WIFLE to promote and support women in the field. The guests discuss the 30x30 Initiative, which aims to increase the representation of women in law enforcement to 30% by 2030. They emphasize the need for not just hiring, but also promoting and retaining women in leadership positions. The conversation also touches on the unique strengths that women bring to law enforcement, such as compassion and de-escalation skills. WIFLE's annual leadership training is mentioned as a key event that provides education, networking, and recognition for women in law enforcement. To register for the 2024 WIFLE Leadership Summit, August 5-8 in Washington, DC, visit: https://wiflefoundation.org.
Keywords
National Police Week, Women in Federal Law Enforcement, WIFLE, recruitment, retention, advancement, law enforcement community, 25th anniversary, programs, initiatives, community engagement, mentorship, partnerships, federal agencies, military organizations, international partners, diversity, inclusion, fallen officers, gender diversity, law enforcement, Women in Federal Law Enforcement, WIFLE, 30x30 initiative, representation, leadership, compassion, de-escalation skills, annual leadership training
Takeaways
WIFLE is an organization dedicated to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in federal law enforcement.
WIFLE has implemented various programs and initiatives to support women in law enforcement, including community engagement, mentorship, and partnerships with federal agencies, military organizations, and international partners.
Diversity and inclusion are important in the law enforcement profession to reflect the communities they serve.
National Police Week is a time to honor and remember fallen law enforcement officers and to show support for the law enforcement community. The 30x30 Initiative aims to increase the representation of women in law enforcement to 30% by 2030.
Promoting and retaining women in leadership positions is just as important as hiring them.
Women bring unique strengths to law enforcement, such as compassion and deescalation skills.
WIFLE's annual leadership training provides education, networking, and recognition for women in law enforcement.
Chapters
00:00Introduction and National Police Week
10:31Building Partnerships: Federal Agencies, Military, and International
39:11WIFLE's Annual Leadership Training
-
Natalia Castro (00:02.168)
Hello and welcome to Fed Talk, I'm Natalia. And we're your hosts from Shaw, Bransford and Roth. I am very excited to be back this week for one of my favorite Fed Talk episodes. It's something we have done for many, many years. We are bringing our partners from Women in Federal Law Enforcement onto the program to discuss National Police Week.
Jason Briefel (00:05.479)
And I'm Jason.
Natalia Castro (00:26.128)
We're going to be talking about key issues facing the law enforcement community. And we're also celebrating 25 years of WIFLE. WIFLE is an organization dedicated to the recruitment, retention and advancement of women in federal law enforcement. We have been
partners with WIFLE for a very long time here at the firm. And we're really honored to elevate and support the incredible work that they do, both in the law enforcement community generally and for the American people in advancing a law enforcement cadre that really reflects the diversity of our nation. Today, I'm honored to introduce our two guests from WIFLE. First, we have WIFLE's president, Katrina Bones. Katrina, thank you so much for joining us.
Catrina Bonus (01:08.918)
Thank you for having me. Thank you.
Natalia Castro (01:11.609)
And then of course we have Vice President Jesse Lane. You guys are both Fed Talk veterans, so thank you for joining us back here this week.
Jessie Lane (01:19.727)
Yes, thank you so much for having us again, Natalia.
Natalia Castro (01:23.508)
Of course, we're so happy to have you. And to talk about the 25th anniversary of WIFLE, it is really an extra special way to recognize this National Police Week.
Jason Briefel (01:35.279)
Yeah, and again, I'm thrilled to have you both here. And for those listeners who might not be familiar with your organization, Women in Federal Law Enforcement, Jesse, can you just set the stage for us? What is Wiffle? Why did it come about? And then we'll dive into more of what you're doing today, but just help us set the scene with what the organization is and what you're trying to achieve.
Jessie Lane (01:55.671)
Yes, thank you, Jason. I'd be happy to. And that's a very important question for us. WIVL is the only nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to identifying barriers to recruitment, retention, and promotion of women and recommending solutions to address underrepresentation of women in federal law enforcement. We were established on June 28, 1999.
as an outgrowth of the Interagency Committee on Women in Federal Law Enforcement, or ICWFL, which was really a task force created by the Office of Personnel Management in 1978. The first ICWFL meeting was hosted by the US Departments of Justice and the US Department of Treasury. So, you know, you might wonder why was ICWFL?
task force created is to study the low numbers of women entering federal law enforcement. So from a historical perspective, women didn't have much leverage or authority in the law enforcement profession until after Richard Nixon signed Executive Order 11478 on August 8, 1969. This executive order kind of changed the landscape.
Catrina Bonus (03:14.75)
Thank you.
Jessie Lane (03:17.395)
completely because it gave women the authority to carry guns, execute search warrants, and make arrests. And it wasn't until 1971 and 72 that the first women were actually hired by the US Immigration and Naturalization Service, the US Secret Service, the US Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. So that's a brief snapshot of what WFL is all about. And we're excited to have this moment to talk about the history of our organization because it's so very important for the things that we have planned, especially for this year.
Jason Briefel (04:02.183)
Thanks so much, Jesse. Really appreciate that. And Katrina, I wanna pull you in now. I know WIFLE has a lot of activities going on right now. And in the past two years, since you have become the president of the organization, can you tell us a little bit about that, how you're engaging the population, some of the new activities, and some of your kind of core and baseline programs as well?
Catrina Bonus (04:26.55)
Oh, absolutely. Well, thank you very much for this opportunity. As you have said, we are great partners of the both of you as well as Fed Talk. And we always have you with us at our annual leadership training where you really highlight our career fair and our exhibit booth. So we're so appreciative. I have been blessed since being in this position. And I have to say, I could have no better partner than Vice President Jesse Lane.
We just are doing this because we have been in the law enforcement space and for us it really matters just to improve the work environment for women in the federal law enforcement when it comes to the recruitment, the hiring, the training, and we really do this as a labor of love. So since becoming president, Jesse and I have gone all in. We really wanted to rebrand women in federal law enforcement.
We really wanted to connect not just with our own internal membership, with at that time was about 600 members of WFL. It really was expanding that to have more members be known for more than our annual leadership training, which is usually held in July and August, setting up programs within WFL, whether it was expanding our WFL Executive Leadership Institute to be able to offer more type of
training and development for our SES and our GS 13s all the way up to 15s. We actually recently just created our WFL engagement and community impact program. So it allows us as a WFL team with our partners in the federal agencies with former law enforcement who are all retired and we are able to go out and give back to the community. So whether it is going and making lunches at the churches, whether it's going to homeless
helping with women's shelters to collect those needs, whether it's shampoo and soap and toothpaste and things like that. And more importantly for that program for Jessie and I, it really is to be able to mentor at the youngest generation and recognizing that the young girls from fifth grade all the way up through high school.
Catrina Bonus (06:41.898)
They are our next generation of law enforcement professionals in the women's space, in our agencies, and really just being able to help prepare them and develop them so that they can take our positions and make it even better. So those are really the things that we've really highlighted. And again, just really engaging our agency leadership, whether it is...
you know, Secretary Mayorkas from DHS or Director Dettelbach from ATF, Director Ray from FBI, and so on and so forth, in regards to just really being transformational in their agencies and really adapting policies and programs that really support women to not only be their best in their profession, but also to be their best in their personal life in whatever role that they have, whether it's spouse, significant other.
parent, you know, mom, as well as caregiver, entrepreneur, volunteer, whatever that role is. So we really work hard throughout the year and again we just truly are a support system and advocate for women in federal law enforcement. So again, it's an honor to be here and do what we do.
Natalia Castro (07:52.22)
You know, hearing that Whiffle started in 1999, it's so interesting to me because
That is just two years before the unfortunate terrorist attacks that occurred on 9-11 and what really was the biggest seismic shift in federal law enforcement, I think in our nation's history. And something we've talked about quite a bit on Fed Talk is how 9-11 was, in addition to a catalyst for reforming the federal law enforcement agencies, it really started a new focus on mental health and wellness.
understanding who officers and agents are as people, and the trauma that they experience, and how they can take those lessons to better themselves. And it makes so much sense to me that WIFLE's origin really came during this time of transformative change in law enforcement, and it really highlights how important your mission is, and how over the last 25 years, as law enforcement has gone through these major changes,
Whiffle has been a player at the table, supporting those changes, helping the law enforcement community grow. And the programs that you just described, Katrina, really reflect that desire to view law enforcement as more than just people who get up every day with a badge and a gun, but they're really people who have spouses, have lives.
and also have their own traumas that they're dealing with and really viewing law enforcement as a profession as opposed to just people in the system. And so I think it's great that WIFLE has been around for the last 25 years as law enforcement has undergone these transformative changes.
Catrina Bonus (09:36.502)
No, absolutely. And I think the highlight is the founders of WIFLE who paved the way for all of us. And this is really what we are trying to honor just this year throughout the year. They are the shoulders that we stand on, because they had the courage to start this agency 25 years ago. And just being able to fight for their seats at the table and be heard, and more importantly, just be a support system.
for those voices that may not have been that strong at the time or may not have had the competence at the time but Still needed a strong group of women just to have their back and so and that really is what the law enforcement profession is We are working for each other because of what we go through and more importantly, you know We need to be the strongest for the communities that we serve and we need to represent the communities that we serve That is why diversity and inclusion is so important in the federal law enforcement space
Natalia Castro (10:31.34)
And speaking of federal law enforcement, it's National Police Week. During this week, we not only celebrate the incredible contributions that law enforcement have made to our communities, but we also recognize and honor those who have unfortunately lost their lives defending our nation in the law enforcement profession. It is a week jam packed with events.
both in local communities and in and around DC. The candlelight vigil, I've gone to it for several years now and it's a beautiful moment where the community just comes together and embraces each other and really honors the contributions of law enforcement. I'm curious what WIFLE is doing this Police Week. Can you tell us, Jessie, a little bit about how your organization is engaging with the community this week?
Jessie Lane (11:20.867)
Of course, this is really the crescendo, the highlight, National Police Week, and it'll be held May the 12th through the 18th. And there will be several events that WIFL will participate in to honor the brave men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice. On May 7th, it's customary for WIFL to attend, and we will again attend, the 30th annual Blue Mass at St. Patrick's.
Catholic Church, and it's a sacred ceremony that honors our fallen heroes who've lost their lives in the line of duty to protect Americans' homeland. And we'll also, as you mentioned, we will visit the National Law Enforcement Museum during Police Week and participate in the 36th annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Mall, which will honor this year 282 fallen officers and 118 line of duty deaths in 2023.
and 164 officers who died in years prior to 2023, whose names will be engraved on the National Law Enforcement Memorial officers, the wall, the wall of honor. So, you know, we make ourselves present. We're also, WFL is invited to several ceremonies hosted by the federal agencies.
in honor of their fallen, and we will be ready to stand next to our partners to say, you know, we salute your fallen heroes, and we are here because it's so very important to honor their memories, especially during National Police Week.
Natalia Castro (12:57.048)
For any of our listeners who have not had the opportunity to come to DC and visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Museum, it's a really, really beautiful establishment. That wall of honor that Jesse just talked about, just seeing the names inscribed in the stone, it's so moving. And I could not encourage you enough to visit, to support, and to really take that time to honor our fallen law enforcement. It is such...
an unfortunate but beautiful ceremony. And I love the way the community comes together. And I'm glad Whiffle is participating in that and is standing alongside the lawmakers, agency leaders and other Americans who are honoring our law enforcement community.
Catrina Bonus (13:43.086)
Yeah, it's a reminder of why we do what we do and never to take, you know, our profession for granted because, you know, none of us are promised tomorrow. And sadly, that is, you know, the meaning of Police Week because of those names that are on that wall and the sacrifices that they gave. And so it just motivates us and encourages us and inspires us, especially for the families that they left behind. So it just reminds us to live with integrity in our profession, do the right thing.
and really just honor all of those who lost their life in the performance of their duties.
Natalia Castro (14:19.588)
And I think this year it's more important than ever. We've been seeing rising threats, particularly against federal law enforcement. We're in a very politicized society right now. And unfortunately law enforcement, our FBI agents, our secret service agents, they've been the target of.
a lot of unprecedented threat levels. And I think showing up and showing that support and showing that law enforcement, you know that there are so many officers who every day do the right thing and unfortunately have to pay the ultimate price because of it. It's so important. And this year, I think we're all feeling that much more.
Catrina Bonus (15:00.186)
And that's really what motivated us for our WIFLE engagement and community impact, Jason and Natalia, because really for us, it was just getting that connection in the community to show who law enforcement is and make that connection with those, again, that we serve.
So it allows for women in federal law enforcement to give back first of all, to be mentors to our youngest generation and really just change that narrative as we go into the community and just show who we are. We are individuals, we just happen to carry a gun and badge, but we're really here to help. And we really are, again, we're public service.
Natalia Castro (15:36.288)
I love that point. I think it's so important and I'm so glad that WIFLE is doing this community impact work because I've always believed that if the first time an individual meets a cop is when they're getting arrested and they're doing something wrong, the chances of that being a negative interaction and them having a negative frame of reference for law enforcement is so much more likely. But if the first time they meet as an officer is when they're helping out at a women's shelter.
or teaching them self-defense or getting food when they're hungry, then that just really reframes the relationship. And it sets up the community and law enforcement relationship that it's supposed to be, which is something that's positive, not negative. Huge kudos to WIFLE for focusing on that community relationship.
Jessie Lane (16:22.063)
Yeah, we also like to give a shout out and thank our members that are really very supportive and have responded, you know, with the donations. I mean, it's really just coming in and just putting that initiative out there. We have gotten an outpouring of support from the WIFLE membership as well. So it is a labor of love for us to do that and give back to the community for certain.
Jason Briefel (16:45.691)
And I think it's really powerful to see both the community coming together to support itself. But as you all have said, stepping out and going to where the people are that you're serving. And I think that that's really important. And as you're in this anniversary period, we've started talking about some of the activities that are going on with WIFLE outside of Police Week. I'd like to hear more about how you're growing the membership, partnering with agencies on these initiatives.
Jessie Lane (16:55.035)
I'll see you guys in the next video. Thanks for watching.
Jason Briefel (17:15.751)
Because as we know, federal agencies and federal law enforcement in particular are in all of our communities, have a global footprint even. And that's really, I think, an opportunity for the organization and for carrying folks forward.
Catrina Bonus (17:32.926)
No, absolutely. I think it's just very important while we focus, obviously, our efforts with our community impact. It really is just highlighting our partnerships with the federal agencies. You know, Jesse and I are really committed whenever we're invited to an event, we're going to be there. During Women's History Month back in March, obviously, during this time in Police Week, in our upcoming annual leadership training in August, which I know Jesse will highlight as far as all of the good things that we'll be doing.
Again, it is just showing that we are a support system for this 365 days a year, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. But more importantly, it really is engaging, even not what we know as just women in law enforcement here in the federal space, but it is too, and our state and local levels.
It's setting the example because, you know, while we know that the under-representation for women and while we could sit there and say, in federal law enforcement, we would love our numbers to be up to, you know, 30%. We'll talk about the 30 by 30 initiative, but 30% women in law enforcement training by the year 2030. We would love to see our executive leadership be, you know, more women than men sometimes when they're coming into a room at a supervisory or leadership level.
But when you do comparison from federal and why we recognize we still have work to do, we have made progress, but then when you do the comparison to the state and local level.
You know, we have the ability to set the example for our state and local partners because, you know, there are police departments that have no women. And so, you know, for us to really be the example and really engage them on what we've learned and how we've developed, you know, policies and procedures, you know, best practices for flexible schedules, for pregnancy accommodations, for lactation rooms, for, you know, again, breaking glass ceilings for all of those first.
Catrina Bonus (19:31.574)
Self-awareness, Natalia, you brought it for stress and mental health and resilience, bringing all that to bear. And then the other part, and this is where we really have grown in the last year, year and a half, is one is our military partners. We have such a great response and where we are, you know, again, we connect with them so much because it pretty much is a male-dominated profession, male-dominated field.
So when you talk about Army Criminal Investigative Division, when you talk about NCIS, when you talk about Air Force OSI, Office of Special Investigations, all of the criminal investigators in the military field, their law enforcement, but they had that military connection. The support and really the conversations with their leadership on how WFL can support them has just been incredible this past year. And then the other area is our international partners.
uh... so you know department of state has engaged with all we've been at the table with them when it comes to conversations with the world bank uh... during that march term limits history month just he was and i went to a women in international security event at the world bank uh... and then also to with the u n united nations so you know it really is allowing for us to not just support women in federal law enforcement and our you know what we know united states wise but women
and any professional law enforcement, federal law enforcement professional. We're dispersed throughout the world in field offices and embassies. And so it's really being able to connect with them. And it's just been incredible the support that we've gotten, the conversations that we've had on what WFL can do to help and not just our federal law enforcement partners, but even those.
international police agencies where we can learn from them and they can learn from us. You know, as the United States, we want to set the best example possible for others to follow. But also too, there's Denmark and Finland and Sweden who have such high representation of women in their police departments and in their law enforcement profession. We can learn from them and see what they're doing and what they're doing right. And more importantly, it's those lessons learned of the type of equipment that they wear, the ballistic vest, the gun belts.
Catrina Bonus (21:47.73)
anything that they're doing. So again, I think it's just highlighting our community engagement and how we've grown, but also too, we are so connecting lately with our military partners, which has just been incredible, and more importantly, our international partners. So, you know, when we are, you know, we want to set the best example possible. So we have to set that example.
inside and represent so well. So obviously when we say things, you know, they're listening because we have that representation. We've changed those practices and those policies. So again, Jesse and I have been just so busy, but it's empowering. It's motivating. And honestly, if we were going to leave our legacy, the same legacy that Margie Moore and the founders have, they, you know, that they started back in 1999, have continued to leave in the last 25 years, this is the legacy. And again, we work every day to make them proud.
you know, that they know that the last 25 years is strong for Whiffle and it's just going to move forward to the next 25 years and all of those young generational, young girls who are going to be the new president and vice president of Whiffle one day.
Jason Briefel (22:50.855)
Yeah, no, I love that so much. And the dichotomy that you presented as federal law enforcement being able to set a model and standard for others in the country to emulate and learn from, you know, we've always said that the federal government should be a type of model employer. Let's live it here, but you know, that other point of learning. How do we learn better practices? How do we learn how we've overcome some of those obstacles and challenges? They are real.
And so how can you help agencies and people who are in the profession working through that, including bringing in that knowledge and expertise and those experiences from international and domestic partners? I think that network role, that knowledge sharing role is a really powerful function for an organization like WIFLE in helping change the trajectory of where this profession is going and making it more inclusive.
Catrina Bonus (23:46.448)
Oh, absolutely.
Jessie Lane (23:47.067)
It's an exciting time to be a part of it and to actually be on the trajectory of changing the way the profession looks in the future. We are happy that our partners are comfortable reaching out to us because they know what type of response and reaction WIFLE is going to give. We're all in. And we, every day, we give our heart and soul.
to this organization, and I think that our partners can rely on us and we can keep this partnership going and make it even better for the people that are coming behind us. It's really exciting to watch it unfold.
Natalia Castro (24:22.404)
creating the change for the law enforcement community, for other women in federal law enforcement, that has always been one of the things that just really motivates me to support WIFLE and to be part of the WIFLE team and community because you guys really are putting your like.
You're putting your money where your mouth is and you're making the change throughout the community and really taking those lessons from the world to make our law enforcement the best it can be. And I know one of the ways that you guys have done that is through your involvement and engagement with the 30 by 30 initiative. So Katrina, can you tell us a little bit about what that is and how WIFLE has been a part of it?
Catrina Bonus (25:08.078)
Absolutely. So 30 by 30 is an incredible initiative. You know, Whipple joined as a partner back in December of 2022. So just before I became president and the partnership with Yvonne Roman and Mo McGough, who are the co-founders of 30 by 30, has been just incredible. So, you know, we've helped support get agencies and agency leadership to sign the 30 by 30 pledge to say that they're committed to having 30 percent.
representation in a training, law enforcement training by the year 2030. You know, Jesse and I, we always joke with Secretary Mayorkas because he was always, I'm going to have 30% by 2023 last year and things like that. And just, you know, again, while we recognize the 30 by 30 initiative and signing the pledge is important when it comes to that commitment to improve the representation of women, it is, and you know, Mo and Yvonne have been very,
been just incredible, just taking it to the next step to say it is more than signing the pledge. It really is for all of us, not just the recruiting and the hiring, but for us it's also the promotion to executive into leadership positions, but it's also the retention aspect of it. You know, Jesse, we go way back into our Secret Service careers and things like that, and that's where we were retired from. Jesse.
I started at a very young age with the Secret Service and was there for just over 40 years. I retired early 2023 and after 27 years. And you know, we were able to have a successful long-term career and we want that for every woman. We never want a female law enforcement professional to be able to have to make that hard decision to say.
I need to pick one over the other. And again, that is why when it comes to 30 by 30 and partnering with Mo and Yvonne and encouraging agencies to sign the pledge, it also is that next conversation to say, what are you doing to retain women? Because the value that women bring in the law enforcement profession, it's not even just saying that it is. It's research. It is studied.
Catrina Bonus (27:22.774)
women are more compassionate and more, they're viewed as more compassionate and more trustworthy by the community. They are able to deescalate situations so much more than their male counterparts. They use less than, you know, less than lethal force. They also are...
sued less than their male counterparts, but more importantly, just the value is research and it just shows that women are instrumental in this profession and the day-to-day dealings with our, you know, with the community. So especially when it comes to deescalating situations, when it comes to being able to have that trust with the community and again, women definitely, females.
are proven to have that value in the profession. So again, Jesse and I worked with 30 by 30 to create a implementation guide for federal law enforcement agencies after you sign the pledge and you have those benchmarks of hiring and promotion. What else is that? And that's equipment, that's uniforms. It's again, flexible schedules. It is pregnancy accommodations. It's everything to be able to ensure
women can be their best at work, so they can also to be their best at home in whatever role that they play. So we will continue this, again, this partnership with 30 by 30. Anytime we have the opportunity, we will bring 30 by 30 and their team to our annual leadership training. Mo and I had the opportunity at an Axon conference, a huge less than lethal Taser vendor to talk about 30 by 30 as a joint partnership on a panel. So...
Again, the partnership is strong and we'll just get stronger as we promote this throughout the next, again, even beyond 2030. So I'm optimistic on what that next goal is. And I would like to highlight is that, as I mentioned in regards to what else we're doing and we talk about the military, NCIS, Army CID, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, we've also engaged 30 by 30 to have those conversations where...
Catrina Bonus (29:34.082)
those military type policing agencies are also supportive and about to sign the pledge. So again, another male dominated type field where women are underrepresented, but wanting to do better and wanting to have more support. So again, just being outside of even just what we traditionally know as federal law enforcement. Now we're starting to get into the military side and again, setting the example for others to follow.
Natalia Castro (30:01.968)
As you noted, the research really emphasizes and bears out as true that women are uniquely equipped to serve as the compassionate law enforcement nurturer in our communities. And I wanted to note, you know, earlier, Jesse talked about how when you announced this community intervention project, you got an outpouring of donations and support from your membership.
And to me, that is just the quintessential example of how women lead and how women support each other and have that compassion and care for their communities. I've heard so many stories of male-dominated law enforcement initiatives that were supposed to be community builders, but got buried in controversy and they weren't sure how to do it right. And the fact that you guys announced this and the membership was all in, it really reflects
how women approach their communities. And it's not to say that men do anything wrong. They have their own strengths, their own great, wonderful things in the law enforcement community, but that women's touch, that extra level of compassion and care, it is so important. And that's why it is incredibly important that our law enforcement agencies.
are representative and diverse and have these different groups in them so that everyone has a seat at the table and all of the different benefits are seen in our law enforcement community. And I just, I was thinking about the community partnership and I thought what a great example of how women do things differently and do it well. So I'm so happy to hear that. I know one of the things that you guys have been doing with 30 by 30 is helping
work on the pipeline into law enforcement. Katrina, you talked a lot about how you're connecting with different agencies, helping with the advancement. Can you talk a little bit about how you are working with universities to support that entrance into law enforcement?
Catrina Bonus (32:02.566)
Absolutely. So, you know, again, just recognizing, you know, my favorite leader is Colin Powell. And when you read his books, just reminding yourself that none of us are promised tomorrow. We're all dispensable and, you know, in a professional, you know, kind of business way, we're failing our agencies if you're not mentoring and building up that next generation. So, you know, it hits home for me because it's exactly what WIFLE wants to do is be good mentors to...
that next generation and that next generation is those that are pursuing those type of degrees to be to segue into law enforcement and even before that at the youngest. I have a 12-year-old daughter and so actually that's my purpose and my motivation when it comes to why I do WIFLE just to make that a little bit easier so if she ever decides that she wants to go into this profession. So
You know, Jesse and I are committed to working with our local, you know, middle schools, high schools to be there, to be that mentor and to have those partnerships and also to our colleges. So we will go do career fairs. Marymount University just outside the Beltway in Arlington, Virginia, is one of our biggest supporters and we go there quite often. In Tampa last year in 2023, we used that opportunity to connect with the colleges in a 150-mile radius.
of where we had our annual leadership training in Tampa to bring all of that, whether it was community colleges, trade schools, normal universities and their criminal justice, because we have a career fair and we have exhibit booths and all of our agencies will come and they will sit there and recruit and promote. And Jesse and I, we would laugh because we wanted to make it more than just women who are coming to our training, just trying to hop various agencies. They're already a federal law enforcement officer.
you know, how can we serve this and make this so much more productive and beneficial? So again, we reached out and our interns from Marymount University reached out and worked hard to connect with those colleges in that area. The response that we got, and Natalia, you were there, the response that we got of just young with their resume already pretty much they were there walking, you know, with the exhibitors and the recruiters from various federal agencies really just with their resumes looking for that right fit and where they want to go.
Catrina Bonus (34:16.142)
And while we're in Alexandria, Virginia, we are already starting to do that now. We want to be able to, again, work with our local colleges to bring them for our exhibit area, our career fair and things like that.
Natalia Castro (34:29.236)
It really proved to me last year in Tampa that the interest is there. People, women, young women want to serve their community. They see law enforcement as a valuable way to give back. They just need the guidance, the mentorship. They need the person that they can review their resume with. And WIFLE did that and it gave that and it opened that door for so many young women.
Catrina Bonus (34:57.591)
Yeah.
Jessie Lane (34:58.939)
than that to an Italian, because we have, this year, we have four women from Marymount University from the Forensic and Legal Psychology program actually shadowing us and learning more about the history of WIFLE. So we brought them into the fold, and particularly last year, we gave them this project to—
check people in, they had a responsibility to grasp all of the people, like Katrina said, within a 150-mile radius to come to our leadership training. But we also gave them an opportunity to be in charge of that project. And that gave them a sense of, I'm doing something for the community. I'm doing something for fellow students. So they set up their project.
post, their command post, they checked the students in, they walked them around the exhibit hall, and in addition to that, they were able to actually attend career classes to learn more about what this law enforcement profession is actually about and hear from the seasoned professionals.
who are tried and true in this space. And it was really exciting for them. They were so happy to be involved in that project. And I'm bringing a team back this year to do the same thing. So they're just as excited. So I said, you're gonna get your real...
Catrina Bonus (36:03.737)
Thank you.
Jessie Lane (36:15.947)
a full knowledge of what it's like to work in the federal space, because Katrina and I have so much experience in it. So this is what it's like to be on the job, because it's very demanding, it's fast-paced. We're responsible for doing a lot with a little and getting the job done, and at the end of the day, just hearing a well done and actually seeing it come to fruition. So that is exactly what they're in store for again this year, for this year's conference. So we're happy.
We're happy that they want to be engaged and involved, and hopefully it will show them what they're really signing up for, you know, when they want a job in the law enforcement profession, whether they're on the sworn or the non-sworn side.
Catrina Bonus (36:56.906)
Yeah, I'd like to pull on that thread too a little bit because I think when we have our career fair, it is also our ability to highlight that federal law enforcement is more than what we know of sworn law enforcement. And Jesse, you segued right into what I wanted to say is, you know, we have inspector generals, we have prosecutors, we, you know, those that are working in the district, uh, U.S. attorney's offices, we have administrative professional technical as well as sworn. So
Jason Briefel (36:57.085)
Yeah.
Catrina Bonus (37:22.054)
It allows for women to come in and find that right fit for them, whether it's forensic analysis, whether it is wanting to be a lawyer, whether it is the investigative part. Again, there's just so many opportunities in federal law enforcement that do not mean that you just have to carry a gun and wear an uncomfortable uniform with a ballistic vest, which is what I did. So that's why I can say that. But it is so much more. And that is what Jesse and I are really focused on showing that WIFLE is.
more than what people traditionally know as a sworn law enforcement. So it's so much more expansive.
Jason Briefel (37:56.499)
Yeah. You know, I really love that kind of pathfinder role that WIFLE is playing and you know, for federal agencies that might be listening out there if you're not already plugged in, you know, this is a group that can help connect you with job applicants and to your point, help open the aperture, you know, the federal government, federal agencies have almost every job under the sun.
And it's not that dissimilar within federal law enforcement, whether it's in the sciences, administrative support roles, you know, we need data and IT, you know, we're not going to put bad guys in jail unless we can figure out how to, you know, get into those emails or track those phones or whatever. And so even for those who might, you know, be concerned about or not want to strap on that uniform and gun.
There are other ways to contribute to the mission. And we've been hinting about and talking a little bit about WIFLE's annual leadership training. It's coming up this summer here in the DC area in Alexandria, Virginia, August 5th through 8th. What is this event all about? I can't remember what year this is. Is this the 28th or the 30th? I know you all have been doing it for a long time, so.
Natalia Castro (39:07.798)
Okay.
Jason Briefel (39:11.884)
What is this event, what's it all about, and what can people expect to happen there, Jesse?
Jessie Lane (39:17.255)
Oh my goodness, they can expect the unexpected. We have a lot of amazing surprises that our attendees will not want to miss. We will again feature Shaw, Bransford and Ross live broadcast where you and your team will interview more than 40 federal agency recruiters, local sponsors and businesses who will be in our exhibit hall. They can expect us to honor our Whipple founders, our board members, senior advisors.
We're super excited. Last year in Tampa, we had over a thousand participants. So again, they can expect to greet and greet many celebrity guests who remain nameless at the moment and yet to be revealed. But all of this really is the main premise for our training is to educate, educate. Don't wanna lose sight of that. Many of our general.
Catrina Bonus (40:13.25)
Thank you.
Jessie Lane (40:13.791)
and our workshops and panel discussions will feature real-time discussions about the challenges and triumphs that women face. Our outstanding facilitators will be from the independent private sector. They will address topics like women and burnout while trying to manage work and life, have a family, carry a badge and gun. We'll have intriguing conversations with those that are vying for promotions. We're setting the stage for change by putting them in touch with people.
Catrina Bonus (40:24.502)
Peace.
Jessie Lane (40:42.835)
that can give them real life examples of what it's like to work in this space. We have our women, WIFLE Executive Leadership Institute, and we had several different sessions last year, and we plan to have even more this year. We wanna talk about women breaking the glass ceiling, strategies, mental barriers that women need to break in order to achieve their full potential. And we're gonna...
actually discuss so many things from active shooter to the impact of school shootings, give women practical advice on how to lead from the inside of an organization with confidence and skill. And finally, we'll have so many intriguing high profile investigations taught by case agents from the entire spectrum across the federal government. They'll talk about how to...
detect and mitigate insider threats, discuss investigative trends and strategies, and talk about child exploitation, sex trafficking cases. And this is just to name a few. I have never been so inundated this year with people that want to present at our leadership training. My desk is full of information that I'm sorting through right now, but the response from the local community
to our leadership training has been nothing less than phenomenal. And one of the highlights too, that I'd like to say, we are on opening day, we will present one of the most phenomenal and engaging motivational speakers. Her name is Dr. Michelle Rosen. She's popularly known as the change doctor. And she will share her secrets for managing and maximizing success and changing your life.
for the better. She's been featured on CBS, Coca-Cola. She's given opportunities. She's spoken at the Bank of America, CNN, ABC, Fox, you name it. And we are excited to have her to be a part of our leadership training this year. So get ready, strap your seat belts on. This is gonna be a conference like none other. And we are very excited to be a part of it and to sponsor this opportunity for people to get involved.
Catrina Bonus (42:48.686)
Thank you.
Jessie Lane (43:04.175)
and understand what WIFLE is all about.
Catrina Bonus (43:07.535)
Yeah.
Jason Briefel (43:07.595)
I love that, Jesse, and I presume that our tickets on sale are ready. Where can folks find them? And I presume you're also still looking for sponsors, right?
Jessie Lane (43:15.08)
Hehehe
Catrina Bonus (43:15.247)
Yeah, no, absolutely.
Catrina Bonus (43:19.958)
We are definitely, yeah, we opened up our registrations on February 1st, and so far we've had almost 200 attendees register, so to your point. And with our theme, looking back and inspiring the future, for us it really is to highlight our founders of Whiffle and really be able to celebrate them.
Also to celebrate the first, you know, our intent is, Jesse hit it at the very beginning, the five agencies that hired women after the Nixon executive order. So bringing those agency leadership and also to hopefully those first women. So being able to celebrate them, but more importantly, being able to inspire and provide just such an empowering, motivating week for the next generation to walk away. So you know, again, we're a nonprofit. We can't.
do what we do without sponsorships of Coca-Cola and Blue Cross Blue Shield and TYR Tactical and Thomson Reuters Special Services and WAPA for right now and hopefully the many other sponsors. And while Jesse just highlighted an aggressive agenda of learning, the other highlight of our week is our award ceremony. So our awards submissions just closed right before we started Police Week. So
agency leadership. They did their nominations and at this point it's out to the selecting committees on who. And Jason, you hit it really well earlier in regards to our awards ceremonies are not just women who experienced and exuded bravery and courage in a gunfight or a gun type of incident. It's like the top prosecutor. It is the law enforcement advocate. It is the law enforcement leader.
There's just so many that are of our WFL awards and we are just very excited. Last year in Tampa, we honored 23 amazing law enforcement professionals and we hope that there will be more this year. And it's just empowering and inspiring just to hear the stories of their work and their efforts and their commitment and dedication to public service and what they've done for their agencies.
Catrina Bonus (45:29.174)
and more importantly, what they've done for their communities. So it is another highlight of our week that really you walk away and it's not hard. It's hard not to well up just because you wish you were that woman and had that courage and bravery.
Jason Briefel (45:38.383)
Yeah, it's a powerful ceremony.
Jessie Lane (45:42.219)
Yes, definitely. Definitely. Katrina, you hit the nail on the head. And just to think, WIFLE started with nine founders that were brave enough to put up $500 each and start this organization 25 years ago. So we are literally planning to have a red carpet, a founders reception, a walk of fame. We're going to have stars. We're going to have a
a meet and greet with our founders whom we consider our living legend. So in addition to the pomp and circumstances and all the things that Katrina mentioned, we are really going to get down to brass tacks on the educational front by providing these courses so that our attendees can actually get out of their comfort zones and become the absolute best they can ever hope to be in the law enforcement profession. That is our major goal.
Natalia Castro (46:37.672)
It is such a phenomenal event. Every year that I've gone, I have cried, celebrated, laughed, learned. There is so much wonderful content and people that you can just feel the energy in the room. If you've never gone to our listeners out there and you are anyway connected to the law enforcement field or the federal criminal justice mission.
Just check it out. And it's in Virginia. It's easier than ever. So we highly encourage you to check it out. And if you are a corporation out there who cares about diversity, equity, and inclusion, who cares about community building, who cares about making sure that we have a law enforcement profession that is truly the greatest in the nation and reflects the greatest in our nation, consider how you can support WIFLE. You will not regret it. I don't think anyone who's ever engaged with WIFLE has. So with that,
Katrina, Jesse, thank you so much for joining us. This has been a phenomenal program and it was truly an honor to be able to come back to Shaw, Bransford and Roth and Fed Talk and celebrate Police Week with you. Thank you for all of the incredible work that you do.
Jason Briefel (47:49.828)
and keep it up.
Catrina Bonus (47:49.994)
Thank you Jason and thank you Natalia. We could not do it without you and Natalia you have been just the biggest advocate. You are always a WIFLE member to us and just wish you much success and giving you a lifetime membership as you know you pursue your career. So and Jason we are just so looking forward to continuing this partnership with you.
Jason Briefel (48:13.487)
Absolutely. As you all know, we're about supporting amazing organizations like yours that are out there supporting our public servants who have hard jobs, aren't always supported, and it takes people supporting themselves. That's a community and for 25 years, WIFLE has built this incredible community. I can't wait to see where you continue to go. And we really appreciate you again being here with us on Fed Talk once again.
Jessie Lane (48:42.564)
Thank you, sir. It's just a pleasure and an honor to serve with both of you.
Natalia Castro (48:47.904)
And thank you to all of our listeners. This is Fed Talk by Shaw, Bransford and Roth. Have a great rest of your week.
Well done!
Catrina Bonus (48:57.697)
Yay, could have a lot, probably what?
