Mentoring FAQ’s

About/Purpose

Women Leaders in Law Enforcement Foundation (WLLEF) mentoring program strives to provide early professional preparation that will empower mentees to take on leadership roles and realize their full potential. This will be done by facilitating mentoring relationships and opportunities for reflection, self-examination, and teaching practical leadership skills. Our goal is to help mentees strengthen their self-confidence, find their voice, learn to wield influence, exercise authority, and articulate and pursue leadership goals.

How are matches made?

Co-chairs of the WLLEF Mentoring Committee will review all Mentor and Mentee applications and make matches based on experience, interests, and/or location. Mentee’s will have the ability to select a Mentor from the list of available Mentors.

How do I become a mentor?

After reading this document and making sure you are ready, just click here to complete the application

How do I become a mentee?

After reading this document and making sure you are ready, just click here to see the list of mentors to select from and then click here to complete the application

Can men be mentors or mentees?

Of course...all personnel are welcome

How long do a Mentor and Mentee typically work together?

We ask the Mentor/Mentee pair maintain the relationship for as long as necessary.

What if I want more time with my Mentor?

If the Mentor and Mentee mutually agree to keep the relationship going, that’s great! You are welcome to keep in touch and continue the connection.

How will the Mentor/Mentee meetings take place?

Mentors and Mentees will discuss their preferred meeting method/format when they are first matched.  Meetings can happen via phone, virtual meeting platform, in-person, or quick check-ins over text. The Mentor/Mentee pair can use whatever is most comfortable and convenient.

What if the match doesn’t work out?

While it can take some time for relationships to develop, there may come a time where you feel the relationship isn’t working out. In the unlikely event that happens, you can contact info@wllef.org and an attempt will be made to re-match you.

How can I provide feedback on the program?

Co-chairs of the WLLEF Mentoring Committee will check in with Mentors and Mentees three times during the mentoring engagement term. At the beginning, we will make sure Mentors and Mentees have been able to connect. At the mid-point of the term, we will check in to make sure the pair have been meeting regularly. At the end of the term, a survey will be sent to all participants to solicit overall feedback for the program.

What are the basics of mentoring?

  • Relationships tend to be more long-term, lasting a year or two, and even longer.

  • Mentoring is more development driven, looking not just at the professional’s current job function but beyond, taking a more holistic approach to career development.

  • Generally, meetings tend to be more informal, on an as needed basis required by the mentee.

  • Mentors should have more expertise in a specific area than mentees. The mentee learns from and is inspired by the mentor’s experience.

  • The mentoring agenda is set by the mentee. The mentor supports that agenda.

  • In the mentoring relationship, the mentee is more likely to ask more questions, tapping into the mentor’s expertise.

  • Outcome from a mentoring relationship can shift and change over time. There is less interest in specific, measurable results or changed behavior and more interest in the overall development of the mentee.