2022 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a member of the national body in honor of the recipient’s dedication, efforts, service, and visionary guidance in being a catalyst for the improvement of the national body which has brought about significant change in the quality of service to both its community and membership.
Wilena Julien was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She still resides in the Boston area with her daughter, son-in-law, and her bubbly granddaughter. She also raised her nephew from the time he was six months old. Educated in the Boston public school system, Wilena graduated from Hyde Park High School with honors, after which she went on to attend Bentley College of Accounting.
After a brief career in the banking industry, Wilena then joined the City of Boston Police Department. During her career, she worked in several units throughout the department, one being the Information Technology Department where she trained police personnel on general computer use and at that time, the new mobile data terminals (computers in the cars).
As a Community Service Officer/Senior Response Officer, Wilena collaborated with community groups, schools, and childcare centers to provide education about Child Passenger Safety, where she organized car seat checkup events. She also organized and set up Neighborhood Crime Watch groups and acted as a liaison between community groups and the police department. Wilena was also instrumental in providing public safety services to the elderly residents of the City of Boston. During that time, she created presentations regarding traffic safety for city residents. With her never-ending commitment to resident safety, Wilena, developed and facilitated a whistle program, which provided the elderly residents with plastic whistles and taught them how to use it as a warning or alarm system.
Wilena ended her 34 year career in the Boston Police Department as a Hackney Carriage Unit Officer. In that capacity, she regulated and licensed taxi drivers, as well as investigated complaints by constituents against taxi drivers. Wilena also, from time to time, provided security detail for certain dignitaries visiting the city.
As a member of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers, Wilena held the positions of National Delegate, Board of Director member, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Information Officer, Conference Chairperson, and Membership Committee Chairperson.
Wilena has received numerous awards, citations, and certificates throughout her career.