Rise: Women in Policing | San Diego | September 2026
Town and Country Resort
500 Hotel Circle NorthSan Diego, CA 92108-3005
United States
Rise: Women in Policing
The purpose of Rise is to bring together policing professionals in a supportive and empowering environment, enabling us all to learn from the knowledge and experience of others. Rise is a unique opportunity to network and connect with women and men who can help you succeed in your future endeavors. The symposium's goal is to continue to provide dynamic, contemporary training presented by subject matter experts in their fields and to help develop both professional and sworn members of the law enforcement community.
POST CCN: 1137-10580-25-001
Rise History
About Rise: Women in Policing Training Symposium
Rise began with a simple but powerful idea: women in policing needed space to connect, learn from one another, and feel supported.
In 1987, Palo Alto Police Department Officers Lacey Burt and Alana Forrest decided to coordinate a small gathering of women at a downtown hotel restaurant to discuss issues related to women in law enforcement. About 20 women showed up to exchange ideas and business cards.
In 1993, Sergeants Burt and Forrest hosted another gathering, this time intentionally designed as a networking and support space for women in law enforcement. In 2004, the duo broadened horizons by holding a more formal workshop that included a panel of women police executives. They expected about 40 women to attend. Instead, 125 RSVP’d, with additional women showing up at the door.
The overwhelming response clearly validated the need for women in law enforcement to come together, hear each other’s stories, receive training, and build lasting bonds. In 2005, the duo organized another event with more than 220 women in attendance, and momentum continued to build.
In 2006, California Police Chiefs Association President Steve Krull learned about these “Women Leaders in Law Enforcement” workshops and asked CPCA leadership to expand the effort into a statewide conference. He appointed San Mateo Police Chief Susan Manheimer and Los Gatos Police Chief Scott Seaman to lead the charge. Later that year, a one day event was held at the Burbank Hilton with the theme “Sharing Strategies for Success.” Hoping for 300 registrants, we were blown away when more than 540 women registered, and the conference sold out.
Rather than making it a one time event, CPCA committed to continuing the conference as an annual gathering. It has since expanded to two and a half days and now hosts 2,000 attendees each year.
Since its inception, there have been hundreds of stories of women connecting, supporting one another, and sharing strategies to navigate a challenging career in policing. The original purpose that Lacey and Alana envisioned still remains: to provide excellent training in a supportive, positive, and inspiring environment, so attendees leave feeling better than when they arrived.
Today, that legacy continues as Rise: Women in Policing Conference. Rise honors the foundation built through Women Leaders in Law Enforcement while expanding the vision to center connection, inclusivity across roles and ranks, and purpose-driven opportunities for connection, education, and community.
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