National Police Week
May 11 - 17, 2025
In the spirit of unity and to honor National Police Week, we are featuring two leaders this month - one from the United States and one from Canada.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week in the United States. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.
In Canada, National Police Week is celebrated at the same time and began in 1970 as a way for police to connect with their communities and increase awareness about the services they provide and the sacrifices some officers make for their nation. During the week, members of the community and officers are encouraged to increase positive interactions and there are additional services to help the community understand the sacrifices involved in the work of a law enforcement officer.
This week and every day, we honor and remember those who have served our countries with courage and paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Chief Melissa Chiodo was hired to lead the Inver Grove Heights (MN) Police Department in 2019 after 23 years of experience in law enforcement with the City of Minneapolis. Before beginning her career as a patrol officer, she earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from St. Catherine University in St. Paul. She went on to serve as a sergeant in investigations and patrol, lieutenant in investigations and patrol, and commander in special crimes and internal affairs. Chief Chiodo earned a master’s degree in criminal justice and police leadership from Concordia University in St. Paul. She was the she was a logistics coordinator for Minneapolis during the 35W bridge collapse and the Republican National Convention and the Logistics Chief for Super Bowl LII and the Incident Commander for the 2019 Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium.
She is a guest speaker at events and trainings throughout the region and was featured in the PBS documentary Women in Blue in 2021. Having grown up in International Falls in far northern Minnesota, she was drawn to a leadership position in a small city. Chief Chiodo’s priorities for IGH PD include fair and impartial policing, training in de-escalation, outreach with youth and under-served communities and building safer neighborhoods through community policing initiatives.
Superintendent Lisa Hewison started her career with the Peel Regional Police in 1997. As a Senior Officer, she held roles as Duty Inspector – Critical Incident Commander, Learning and Development, Hearing Officer, Crimes Against Persons, 12 Division Uniform Inspector, Corporate Development (Recruiting and Training) and presently she is currently the Superintendent of the Airport Division.
She was the lead in developing Peel Regional Police’s first Intimate Partner Violence Unit and has a passion for addressing Gender Based Violence in our community. Superintendent Hewison currently volunteers in her community as a member of the Board of Directors with the Peel Children’s Aid Society and is the Past President of Ontario Women in Law Enforcement and remains involved on the Board of Trustees. Internally, she volunteers as co-chair of Peel's Pride Internal Support Network and is co-chair of the 2SLGBTQ+ Chiefs Resource Council. Outside of policing, she enjoys traveling the world with her wife, Nicole. Their aim is to travel to as many countries as the can! They are only at 29 countries so far.
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