12 BAWP AWARDS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTLIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT


This year Lifetime Achievement awards will be presented to three officers who have all made a significant contribution to the progression of women in UK policing.


Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie Police Service of Northern Ireland


Detective Constable Lorna Wood Metropolitan Police Service – retired


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particular she has championed the role of women in a police environment and has herself gained a wealth of experience in various roles and departments. Judith was the first female officer


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from the Royal Ulster Constabulary to attend the Strategic Command Course, and the first female assistant chief constable in the service. During this time she established the Criminal Justice Department and led on the final withdrawal of military patrols under Operation Banner. She also acted as chief constable until Matt Baggott took up his appointment. Judith has played an immensely


important role in ensuring the successful transition of policing in Northern Ireland through one of the biggest change processes ever undertaken by a modern police service. During this period she displayed a commitment unsurpassed at any level, and continues to do so to this day. Through her style and ethos she has earned the respect of everyone who has served with, or for her, from all ranks and organisations. 9


hroughout her 30-year career Judith has provided inspirational leadership to officers and staff. In


orna has been described as a “shining beacon of hope” to the countless


women officers who have followed her example and led fulfilling careers. She showed what could be done when you have the courage to break down the barriers of prejudice by tackling them head on. Jamaican-born Lorna recalls a female supervisor at Brixton, her first station, telling her most women had to be twice as good as a man to be thought of as half as good, but Lorna would have to be three times as good because she was black too. She also faced hostility from the local community who viewed her as a traitor. Lorna continued to inspire and mentor


other women when she became the first ever black instructor at the Recruit Training School.


However with no provision for


career breaks or part-time policing Lorna left policing in 1985 to start a family. But she re-joined six years later juggling three young children and a job in the Child Protection Team. Within that team Lorna supported women in a similar position embracing the concept that women thrive in a collaborative


environment. Lorna was able to make use of her


Jamaican heritage and ability to speak Patois through challenging undercover roles within Operation Trident and at Heathrow Airport.


In 2008 Lorna sustained a debilitating


elbow injury on duty, given her length of service, a less motivated officer than Lorna would have retired on ill health. It is wholly to her credit that she has returned to work to complete her thirty years service. 9


Chief Officer Lorraine Woolley Metropolitan Police Special Constabulary


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orraine joined the Metropolitan Police Special Constabulary in


1970, two years before men and women were integrated; all her duties had to be carried out with another female officer and at that time there was only one.


A posting to Hendon, a predominantly


Jewish area, allowed Lorraine to take a leading role in teaching regular colleagues about her Jewish culture and encouraging Jewish people to join the police service. This was at a time when the concept of diversity within the police service was very different.


A raft of promotions and postings followed which saw her move to New Scotland Yard as deputy chief officer. In 1999 Lorraine was awarded the MBE for her contribution to the police service and her charity work particularly providing aid in


Romania. Lorraine was selected as chief officer


four years ago and has now carried out 42 years voluntary service. Under her leadership a fully qualified special has been appointed as a welfare officer to support the 6,000 volunteers and ensure they can continue to contribute a great deal to the policing of London.9


GRAPEVINE Autumn 2012


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