REPS AT WORK
New Reps Spotlight
Sergeant Ashley Rutherford has a wealth of experience, having worked for Northumbria Police for almost 20 years. She joined the force in September 2002, after starting as a civilian on a Youth Trainee Scheme when she left school at 17. She has always been eager to help any colleagues in need of advice, so becoming a rep felt like a natural step for her. “I am huge believer of people being
treated fairly and that was what spurred me on to become a rep,” she explained. “I live in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, so I have been based in that area for the majority of my career. I am a single mum of three, so having gone through maternity and ‘keeping in touch days’, I was asked to help when other colleagues didn’t know what they were entitled to.”
In August 2020, Ashley was transferred
to the force transformation team. She worked alongside Branch Secretary Sharron Phillips, who inspired her to take up the new role.
“I found the process easy. I just had to
write a statement on why I wanted to be elected – which I sent out to colleagues I had assisted previously – and I was voted in. It was very simple. “Through Operation Uplift, forces are really pushing for under-represented groups to join; it’s important our Federation reflects our workforce.” Ashley agrees the service hasn’t always
treated female officers fairly. Now that she has finished her rep training, she’s enthusiastic to promote more equality in the workplace. She is also keen to get
Welcome to one of our new dedicated reps: Ashley Rutherford from Northumbria Police Federation
Sergeant Ashley Rutherford
“I am huge believer of people being treated fairly and that was what spurred me on to become a rep”
involved with supporting student officers who are juggling their studies with work. “When they first start, student officers may not realise the full impact of doing a degree whilst undertaking work at the
28 | POLICE | APRIL 2022
same time,” she said. “The police work environment is very different to any other working environment, and it can be hard for them to adjust. I want to be able to support them through the whole process.” Mental health and wellbeing are also at the top of her agenda,
and she aims to make more officers in Northumbria aware of the services available to them as part of the Federation. “We aren’t just here for you when there is a crisis. Northumbria Federation
is absolutely fantastic with its wellbeing provisions. We have physiotherapists, a chiropractor, a sports massage therapist, and two counsellors, all delivering treatments at our Federation office. We also have a number of holiday cottages in Northumberland and the Lake District, which we rent out for a fraction of the market price, so colleagues can have affordable breaks. “A lot of officers struggle with injuries on duty and some of them aren’t aware of what is available. Reach out to your local rep to find out more about our healthcare scheme and Group Insurance Scheme.”
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