About the Service Women in Policing

Biographies

Constable Sandra Murner

Constable Sandra Murner Where has the time gone? I still remember to this day, 15 yrs ago when I got the phone call telling me that I got the job as a Police Officer with the Winnipeg Police Department, as it was called back then.

Whether it was your life long dream or a passing thought to become a Police officer, it is a wonderful feeling to know that you are going to have a career protecting ones life and property.

I started out my career when I was 27 yrs old, single and without children. I was very ecstatic about being a Police officer, but on the other hand, I felt it was very overwhelming and somewhat intimidating having to put the effort into studying after being out of school for almost 10 years. With the help of your classmates, who actually become your comrades, life was great.

My first assignment was in one of the busiest Districts of the City, the north end. I completed 4 years of my time there and enjoyed every moment of it. It was certainly a district to learn from and a good way to get your feet wet with respect to policing.

During that time, I got married and had our first child. Shortly after I returned to work, I was given a 2 week Breathalyser Course. It was a very difficult course, and challenging, especially since I had been out of the habit of studying, and now had a 1 year old baby to tend to.

I then transferred into a plain-clothes position in the Child Abuse Unit. I had a great working relationship with my partner and learned more than I thought was ever possible about Criminal Investigations. After two years I went back into general patrol in District 2, however, I did not start there until I finished my second maternity leave.

I had only been back from maternity leave for approximately 2 months when I became a field trainer, and went on to train approximately 8 recruits. Becoming a Field Trainer was a very rewarding position, having the full responsibility to be a role model. I also had the fortunate opportunity to assist at the Training Academy, instructing Breathalyser courses.

Following my 3 year term in District 2, I transferred into the Traffic Division where I have been for the past 5 years. I continued assisting the Training academy (as well as the RCMP) with instructing Breathalyser and Datamaster courses. I have been a Breathalyser/Datamaster instructor for approximately 8 yrs and enjoy it thoroughly.

For the past 3 years I have held the position as the Service Impaired Countermeasure Coordinator, responsible for the Breath Testing Program within our Service. This position, along with my Policing career, has been a challenging, rewarding and exciting position that I would recommend to anyone.