Rise: Women in Policing | San Diego | September 2026

What to Expect at Rise

Rise is not your typical, buttoned-up conference. It is fun, welcoming, and refreshingly laid back. No stiff rooms or formal barriers. Just approachable people, real conversations, and a space where you can walk up to anyone and feel at home. 

Expect inspiring content and the type of networking that leaves you feeling recharged and connected long after the conference ends.

Welcome Reception
Start your Rise experience by connecting with peers in a relaxed, welcoming environment designed to bring attendees together from the very beginning.

Wellness Experiences
Take time to recharge with dedicated wellness offerings woven throughout the conference. From calming moments with therapy dogs to guided Sunrise Yoga and Pilates sessions, these experiences are designed to help you reset, refocus, and take care of yourself while you’re at Rise.

Education Sessions
Choose from 20+ sessions led by industry experts, offering practical insights, leadership development, and real-world strategies you can bring back to your agency.

 



Keynote & Featured Speakers
Hear powerful stories and perspectives from inspiring speakers who will challenge, motivate, and leave you with lasting takeaways.

Connection Cafe 
This latest addition to Rise is a central hub for networking and conversation, featuring roundtables, meet-ups, and a dedicated space to recharge and build meaningful connections.

Networking Opportunities
Connect with fellow attendees from across California and beyond, while also engaging with trusted partners and companies that support the policing profession. From informal conversations to structured networking moments, Rise creates space to build relationships, exchange ideas, and expand your professional network.

There are choices for your stay in San Diego! Our host hotel is the Town and Country Resort and we have overflow blocks at the DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego Mission Valley and the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley. 

Included with those overflow rooms are round-trip trolley tickets for each day of the conference. The trolley drop off is located directly behind the Town and Country Resort.

As for meals, the following is what is included for those who purchase a registration ticket:

Please note that individuals who are employed by or represent a company or service provider are not eligible to register as general attendees. Participation is reserved for those who are attending as a current or retired member of a policing agency. Retired members who register should not attend to market the current company they represent. Company representatives are encouraged to explore sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities instead.

Registration Fee Policy

Payment for your registration must be received no later than August 9th, 2026. If you are unable to pay by this date you must communicate your payment issue to CPCA. If we have not received your payment or corresponded with you by August 9th, 2026, your registration will be canceled. Any registrations placed after August 9th, must be paid at the time of purchase with a credit card.

Cancellation Policy

1. All cancellations must be in writing and emailed to Izze Uvalle.
2. All Cancellations received on or before August 9, 2026 will be subject to a $75 administrative fee.
3. All Cancellations received from August 10, 2026 to August 25, 2026 will be subject to a $150 administrative fee.
4. Cancellations received after August 25, 2026 will not receive a refund.
5. No shows forfeit full registration fee.

TBD Policy

The total number of registrations is unlimited per agency. However, you may not exceed more than 10 TBD registrations. All agencies may only register up to 10 TBD slots. All TBD names must be submitted to Izze Uvalle by July 1, 2026. Any names not received by then will be cancelled.

Substitutions Policy

Attendee substitutions are accepted until August 25, 2026. After that time, all other substitutions must be made onsite at check-in.

We're thrilled to share that the official Rise merch is now available on our CPCA storefront. It's the perfect way to show off your Rise spirit and get ready for this year's conference!

Rise History

About Rise: Women in Policing

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.