The Massachusetts Association of Women in Law Enforcement will be holding their annual business meeting and Executive Board Elections on December 2, 2025, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the Dedham Public Safety Building. With a holiday social immediately following at Yard House, 200 Legacy Place, Dedham, MA.
The affairs of the Association are managed by the Board of Directors.
This Board consists of:
- (4) Four elected Board members with a vote: President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
- (1) Appointed member with a vote: Executive Director
- (1) The Immediate Past President with no vote
The nomination period for Executive Board officers has closed. The following nominations were received:
Sarah Palermo – President
Detective Sarah Palermo, Boston Police Department – Detective Palermo has served on the MAWLE & Me Camp Committee and MAWLE Conference Committee. Additionally, she has assisted with the MAWLE Awards and the production of fliers for various social events.
Lorrin Taliaferro – Vice President
Officer Lorrin Taliaferro, Reading Police Department – Officer Taliaferro has volunteered as a MAWLE & Me Camp Counselor and will be on the Camp Committee in 2026. She assisted with the 2025 MAWLE Conference and has represented MAWLE at various events this year.
Gaetana DiCenso – Treasurer
Officer Gaetana DiCenso, Wellesley Police Department – Officer DiCenso is seeking re-election as treasurer. She has assisted with the MAWLE Conference and MAWLE Awards the past few years and will be chairing the events committee in 2026.
Alora Clemens – Secretary
Officer Alora Clemens, Rehobeth Police Department – Officer Clemens has volunteered as a camp counselor at the MAWLE & Me Camp for the last several years and was on the MAWLE Conference Committee this year.
These certified nominees will be placed on the Election Ballot which will be sent electronically to members in good standing who have paid their annual dues by Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
Alternatively, any Active Member can make a motion for a nomination from the floor on the day of the election (location TBD) and the nominated individual can ask to be a write-in candidate.
New Officers shall assume office January 1, 2026.
“To strengthen, unite, and raise the profile of women who are in or may be considering law enforcement and criminal justice careers in Massachusetts.”
MAWLE Executive Board Positions
President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the members, assist in developing Association policy, set the goals and objectives of the Association, approve the standing committees and appoint chairs for each, act as a spokesperson for the Association, and, shall perform all duties incident to the Office of the President authorized by the Association policy and bylaws. The President shall provide general oversight and give guidance to the Constitution and Bylaw.
Vice President: In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President. If the office of the President is vacated during the term of office, the Vice President shall become acting President for the remainder of the term. The Vice President, or designee, shall provide general oversight and give guidance to the Training / Professional Development Committee.
Secretary: The Secretary, or designee, shall be responsible for handling the Association‘s correspondence. The Secretary shall record meeting minutes and distribute the minutes to the membership. The Secretary shall forward the agenda to the membership if the agenda is established in advance by the President or designee. The Secretary, or designee, shall provide general oversight and give guidance to the Publications Committee. They shall be responsible for developing and maintaining documents, brochures, logo, newsletters and contributing to the website for the Association.
Treasurer: The Treasurer, or designee, shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds of the Association; receive and give receipts for money due and payable to the Association from any source whatsoever; and in general perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer authorized by corporate policy, bylaws, and administrative directives.
Election
Members are encouraged to vote in person on December 2, 2025 at the annual business meeting being held at the Dedham Public Safety Building, 26 Bryant Street, Dedham, MA.
For those members who cannot be there in person, please be sure to keep you eye out for virtual meeting details as we get closer and electronic voting instructions.
Eligibility for Executive Board Positions
President and Vice President:
- Active Member in good standing for a minimum of two (2) years
- Dues are current
- Has served on at least one Board and/or Committee for a minimum of one (1) year.
Secretary and Treasurer:
- Active Member for a minimum of one (1) year
- Dues are current