The law enforcement profession for the executive assistant and/or administrative support personnel is one that stands alone due to its uniqueness of duties and responsibilities.  Most training classes and workshops offered are geared to the business community and do not provide professional development for the executive assistant and/or administrative support personnel employed by law enforcement agencies.  It is common place for sworn law enforcement individuals to form brotherhood/sisterhood organizations to associate with each other due to the profession's uniqueness.  The need for the New Hampshire law enforcement executive assistant and/or administrative support personnel to form the same type of professional association was very apparent. 

Every so often, the average person has a moment of inspiration, but, frequently, they fail to act upon it.  The reasons vary; they don't have the time, too busy at work or with family, etc., or they think it wouldn't work anyway, so why bother.  In contrast, every so often, a remarkable person has a moment of inspiration and great things happen.  That is precisely what happened one April day in 1993, to a remarkable person by the name of Susan Cilley.

During a break of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police meeting in April, where, for the first time ever, the Secretaries were invited by the Chiefs, to attend their General Business meeting, a discussion took place led by Sue Cilley (yes, the rumors are true - it was an impromptu meeting in the ladies room).  The discussion concerned how, while secretarial-related seminars are certainly available, training that addresses the unique needs and, often stressful environment, of a police department is completely nonexistent.  That is when Sue decided to do something about it.

Back on the job at Portsmouth Police Department, Sue sent notices to area police departments, inviting the Chief's Executive Assistants/secretaries to a meeting to discuss her idea of forming an association for police secretaries that would include training specific to that particular position.  Her enthusiasm was contagious and the New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Secretaries Association (NHCOPSA) was born and has gone on to thrive, largely due to Sue's energy and perserverance.  The membes of NHCOPSA want to thank Sue Cilley for her hard work and commitment to this ever-growing Association.