[August 20, 2004] Innovative Leadership Earns San Diego Official Prestigious Women Law Enforcement of the Year Award ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- San Diego Harbor Police Chief Betty P. Kelepecz has a reputation for innovative leadership and being responsive to the needs of the public and the organizations for which she has worked. Today those leadership skills and her work as a role model for other female law enforcement personnel has earned Kelepecz this year's "Woman Law Enforcement Executive of the Year" Award sponsored by The National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) and Motorola . Kelepecz is being honored for her achievements at this year's annual NAWLEE conference in Arlington, Va. A year ago, Kelepecz retired from the Los Angeles Police Department at the level of commander, which at the time was the highest rank a woman had achieved in the department's 149-year history, and signed on as the Chief of the San Diego Harbor Police Department. Jointly sponsored by NAWLEE and Motorola, the Woman Law Enforcement Executive of the Year Award was established last year to recognize an executive who has exhibited sustained extraordinary accomplishments, demonstrating leadership, creativity and support of NAWLEE goals. These include promoting the ideals and principles of women executives in law enforcement; conducting training seminars to train and educate women executives in law enforcement; and providing a forum for the exchange of information about law enforcement. "This award recognizes an individual who has distinguished herself in our organization, her profession and her community," said Vicky Stormo, President of NAWLEE and Chief, University of Washington Police Department. "Chief Kelepecz's passion for leadership not only showed in her prior position at LAPD and currently in her position as Chief of Police at San Diego Harbor, but also extends to helping women in law enforcement succeed. She served as the NAWLEE President in 1998 and continues to mentor women throughout our profession." With more than 23 years in the profession, Kelepecz rose to the rank of Commander at the Los Angeles Police Department. She has received many awards for her police work including the prestigious Gary P. Hayes Award for Law Enforcement Leadership and has been featured in publications including Marion Gold's "Top Cops: Profiles of Women in Command." Because of her outstanding leadership during the North Hollywood Bank of America robbery and shooting, Kelepecz was given a Meritorious Unit Citation. Since August 2003 she has led the San Diego Harbor Police Department where she is concentrating on improving law enforcement services provided by the agency. Under her direction, the department has embarked on a five-year action plan to improve training, professionalism, leadership and to obtain necessary equipment. "Motorola is proud to play a part in establishing this significant leadership award for law enforcement executives," said Jackie Wasni, senior market area manager Motorola's Commercial, Government, and Industrial Solutions Sector and representative of the company's Women's Business Council Committee. "Chief Kelepecz exemplifies the best in her profession and uses her talents to help other women police officers to be their best." About NAWLEE The National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) is the first organization established to address the unique needs of women holding senior management positions in law enforcement. NAWLEE is a non-profit organization sponsored and administered directly by law enforcement practitioners. Its mission is to serve and further the interests of women executives and those who aspire to be executives in law enforcement. For more information, please visit http://www.nawlee.com/ Motorola's Commercial, Government and Industrial Solutions Sector Motorola's Commercial, Government and Industrial Solutions Sector (CGISS) is a leading provider of integrated radio communications and information solutions, with more than 65 years of experience in meeting the mission- critical requirements of public safety, government and enterprise customers worldwide. In 2003, CGISS received the inaugural Interpol Outstanding Contribution Award for its services to the international law enforcement community. The sector offers an extensive portfolio of solutions to meet growing public safety and security needs, including: interoperable two-way radio communications solutions; command and control solutions; identification and tracking solutions; information management of criminal justice and civil needs; and physical security and monitoring solutions. About Motorola Motorola, Inc. is a global leader in wireless, broadband and automotive communications technologies that help make life smarter, safer, simpler, synchronized and fun. Sales in 2003 were U.S. $27.1 billion. Motorola creates innovative technological solutions that benefit people at home, at work and on the move. The company also is a progressive corporate citizen dedicated to operating ethically, protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which it does business. For more information: http://www.motorola.com/ MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020307/MOTLOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, [email protected] Motorola CONTACT: Vicky Peltzer of NAWLEE-University of Washington,+1-206-543-0507, or [email protected] ; or Steve Gorecki of Motorola,Inc., +1-847-538-0368 Web site: http://www.motorola.com/http://www.nawlee.com/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]