News Dispatches
Retired Hamilton Police Sgt. Myra James wins Heritage Award 2019 from the IAWP

The Heritage Award is the highest honour bestowed by the IAWP upon an individual member to recognize “substantial and significant contributions to women police and the International Association of Women Police over a period of years and especially during milestones of the organization.”

The honor is meant to ensure the recording, recognition and appreciation for outstanding and dedicated service to IAWP.

James has been a member of the IAWP since 1993 and has been a life member since 1994. She joined the Hamilton Police Service in 1988 and retired in 2018 after 30 years’ service.  

She was promoted to sergeant in July 1999 and performed in different roles, including sex crimes investigation, Crime Stoppers co-ordinator, general crimes investigation, traffic safety supervisor and police vehicle operations as an instructor at the Ontario Police College. She also served for three months as an assistant venue transport manager for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Throughout her career with Hamilton Police, she also served on a number of committees relating to community service or women’s issues.

She has been engaged with community projects and initiatives throughout her policing career and many she continues to participate in now.

She remains passionate about supporting others to reach their full potential in both their professional or personal lives, something she has been previously recognized for with numerous awards.

James joined the IAWP board of directors as the Region 11 (Eastern Canada) co-ordinator in 2000 and has remained serving on the board since then. She currently works hard as the editor of IAWP’s magazine.

She was also a member of the 2000 Toronto IAWP Conference planning committee. She has also been actively involved in the Ontario Women in Law Enforcement, an IAWP affiliate, serving as treasurer, vice-president, president and continues as a member of their board of trustees.

“Receiving the IAWP Heritage Award is a life highlight for me and an honour,” James said. “For 30 years, I was blessed to have multiple opportunities in law enforcement and expand my capacity through involvement in the Ontario Women in Law Enforcement and the IAWP.”

James will be honoured during the IAWP’s 57th Annual Training Conference in Alaska this September.