Brendan O'Connor Minister for Home Affairs media release
10th Anniversary of Women in Law Enforcement Strategy - Tuesday 24 November
Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Brendan O’Connor, proudly commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Women in Law Enforcement Strategy (WILES) mentoring program today.
The Minister said women play an important and active role leadership role in law enforcement agencies and setting an example for the next generation of women considering careers in law enforcement.
“Since 1999, the WILES program has been a forum to encourage women to pursue careers and senior positions within Australian law enforcement and regulatory agencies. The WILES program is based on a formal mentoring structure, where participants are matched with senior mentors from a law enforcement and regulatory agency for one year,” Mr O'Connor said.
During the program, mentors offer professional advice to participants about career progression and share rare insights into experiences, challenges and achievements throughout their career. The program has expanded to include a series of formal events throughout the year covering topics such as leadership, communication styles and work/life balance.
“Supported by both women and men since its inception, the program has seen 270 women graduate and over 200 senior leaders—including both women and men—contribute to the program as mentors. Over the past decade, the number of women employed by law enforcement and regulatory agencies has grown by 14 per cent and the number of women in Senior Executive Service (SES) positions has grown by 10 per cent in that time,” Mr O’Connor said.
“The WILES program is a practical Australian Government initiative that supports and advocates women’s advancement into positions of leadership in law enforcement through a guided, learning environment where senior leaders impart their knowledge, skills and wisdom with future women leaders.”
The program is sponsored by the Heads of Commonwealth Operational Law Enforcement Agencies (HOCOLEA), with the governing Steering Committee and program participants drawn from the 12 HOCOLEA agencies. Customs and Border Protection currently Chairs the WILES Steering Committee.
Media Contact: Brian Humphreys 0438 595 567 or Customs and Border Protection (02) 6275 6793