ATF DIRECTOR PRAISES ROLE OF WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. – Director Carl J. Truscott of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, noting that female leadership has been crucial to ATF’s success, said today that supporting women in law enforcement benefited the country as a whole.

Speaking here at the awards dinner of the annual Leadership Training Conference held by the Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE) organization, Truscott cited the WIFLE Distinguished Honor Award winner, ATF Special Agent in Charge Geneva Dunaway, as an example of how “the leadership of women, both in the field and at headquarters, is so crucial to ATF’s success.”

ATF women leaders, he noted, include WIFLE President and ATF Public Affairs Chief Sheree L. Mixell, Assistant Director Marguerite Moccia, two deputy assistant directors and four of the special agents in charge who lead the agency’s 23 field divisions.

“Countless others … lead in their positions and contribute their expertise and ability to our efforts,” Truscott said. “And ATF is much better for their contributions.”

He also noted that one of the award recipients, U.S. Secret Service Deputy Director Barbara Riggs, had served as a mentor during his career at the Secret Service. Truscott became ATF’s sixth director in April 2004 after 22 years with the Secret Service.

Truscott hailed the “critical role” WIFLE has played in developing leadership among women in federal law enforcement. “Supporting women in law enforcement supports America,” he added.

WIFLE is an organization of men and women who work together to foster awareness of the value that women bring to law enforcement. Its goals are to recruit, retain and promote women in law enforcement; enhance the image of law enforcement in the community; and promote the value of collaborative and cooperative leadership.

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