Santa Rosa Police & Fire Departments Announce Second Annual Women Leaders in Public Safety Symposium

The City of Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) and Santa Rosa Fire Department (SRFD) are proud to announce the Second Annual Women Leaders in Public Safety Symposium (WLPS), a one-day professional development event designed to strengthen leadership capacity across the public safety profession and foster a more connected, inclusive regional network. The symposium will take place Friday, March 6, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Finley Community Center, 2060 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95401. 

Building on the momentum of the inaugural symposium, which drew more than 60 attendees and featured dynamic speakers, the 2026 event will again deliver impactful training and conversation tailored to the realities of modern public safety leadership. The symposium is open to all current and retired public safety employees, and all genders are encouraged to attend to broaden perspectives and strengthen inclusive leadership across agencies and ranks.  

About the Symposium 

The Women Leaders in Public Safety Symposium was created to address the continued need for tailored training and support for women in public safety, while also building an environment where professionals can share ideas, strategies, and best practices that elevate leadership at every level. Attendees will gain insights into coaching, mentoring, and leadership strategies relevant to all roles in public safety, in a collaborative setting focused on professional growth and long-term success.  

This year’s program will feature dynamic speakers and key topic areas including: 

• Career Development & Overcoming Gender Bias  
• Financial Planning for Retirement 
• Workers Compensation for Supervisors 
• Mental & Physical Wellness Throughout Your Career  
• Panel discussion with presenters and other leaders in public safety  

A Regional Investment in Leadership and a Vision for Scholarships 

The intent of the symposium is twofold: to bring valuable, relevant, and diverse leadership training to the region; and to support a long-term goal of establishing a scholarship program that will help send SRPD and SRFD employees to leadership trainings grounded in diversity, opportunities that typical training budgets cannot always support. 

By investing locally and building partnerships across agencies, SRPD and SRFD aim to strengthen the leadership pipeline, improve retention and wellness, and promote a culture of continuous learning and inclusive excellence throughout the public safety profession. 

Registration & What’s Included 

Registration includes a catered breakfast and lunch, comprehensive symposium materials, and all processing fees to ensure a seamless participant experience.  

• General Admission: $185.00 
• City of Santa Rosa Employees: $135.00 

Interested participants can register online via Eventbrite here or scan the QR code on the flyer. 

Media inquiries or other questions can be made to Sgt. Patricia Seffens, SRPD Public Information Officer, at 707-543-3634 or at pseffens@srcity.org. 

Presented by: City of Santa Rosa Police & Fire Departments