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Estevan Police Association hosts provincial Wellness Conference

The fifth annual Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers Wellness Conference took place at the Estevan campus of the Southeast College on Sept. 25-26.

The fifth annual Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers Wellness Conference took place at the Estevan campus of the Southeast College on Sept. 25-26. This year it was Estevan Police Association’s turn to host the event, which proved to be a big success. 

“I think it went really well. When you plan this sort of things you spend eight to nine months looking at it over and over again and you start to wonder, ‘Is it as good as you are hoping it’s going to be.’ And I think it really exceeded our expectations,” said Cst. Danielle Stephany with the Estevan Police Association. 

She went on to say that they were really satisfied with the attendance and really grateful for the support from the community they received as several businesses stepped up to supply gifts for the speakers.

“I can’t thank the community enough,” said Stephany.

She also praised the group that brought the event to life.

“The group did an amazing job putting this together. We are happy it's done. We can rest now and I don’t know what we are going to do with our free time, but it went really, really well.”

Brian Willis
Keynote speaker Brian Willis talked about what he calls a winning mind training, where W.I.N. stands for What’s Important Now?

Acclaimed thought leader, training innovation specialist, catalyst for change in the law enforcement profession, author and trainer Brian Willis was the keynote speaker. He held a session on Winning Mind Training.

“His biggest thing is What’s Important Now, that’s his W.I.N. process. It’s on various things. What’s important now at work? If you are responding to a call, what’s important at this moment? If you are home with your family, what’s important now? It’s a broad range. He just focuses you to change your habit of thinking more to a positive setting. Even trigger words (like) ‘I have to do something’, instead of saying that just ‘I get to do something’. Those positive switches in your life,” recalled Stephany.

The entire conference focused on how to make things that people, who are involved in law enforcement, can control more positively.

“Our own wellness, sleep, the way we handle our physical wellness, our home life, all those things, (Willis) just reemphasizes on how to switch that,” added Stephany.

Other speakers were Verbal Judo instructor Darcy Pennock, Olympic medalist and police officer Cindy Klassen, founder of 911 Lifestyle Andi Clark, Moncton shooting dispatcher Lisa Rouse, president and founder of Bullying Ends Here Tad Milmine and Estevan’s personal trainer Jennifer Olfert who talked about healthy nutrition and meal preparation.

“Our speakers exceeded my expectations as well… They were unbelievable,” said Stephany.

The conference is designed for all Saskatchewan municipal policing. This year the Estevan Police Association also extended invitations out to the local RCMP, EMS, Canada Border Services Agency, firefighters and also to their spouses.

Estevan Police Association
Estevan Police Association extended the invitations to RCMP, firefighters, EMO and also their spouses.

“We can’t do this job without the support of our family, so not only do we need to focus on how we can change and better our lives, but they need to, not that they need to change their focus, but maybe a better understanding of little things that we go through as well. I think it’s so valuable to have the spouses here,” said Stephany.

Moose Jaw Police Association initiated this conference five years ago. Since then it has been to Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Regina. Next year, hosting duties are going back to Moose Jaw.