INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY


PC Karen Giles, left here and far right


policing. My fear of doing the bleep test does not define who I am or my ability as a police officer.” Jen and Carly have also set up a


private BleepKind Facebook page, which provides a safe, positive community where people can share their concerns and get the support they need in return. “One of the most beautiful things about the community is there are people in it who don’t struggle with the bleep test at all but want to help their colleagues. “There are personal


trainers, dietitians, therapists, police officers with side jobs, who want to come in and offer that arm around the shoulder to help.”


response team in the 80s. She is now part of the Integrated Offender Management Team in Greenwich. Karen is a mother of two


and had Jen in 1983. “I was horrified when I returned to work as it just wasn’t the done thing”, she said. “It was anticipated you would leave. My superintendent was


“I am aware of the negative publicity and all that’s going on, but I narrow my view and I think ‘I enjoy what I’m doing, I’m working with some great colleagues’.”


Jen’s mother, PC Karen Giles, the Met’s longest serving police officer who is approaching an incredible 48 years’ service in July, was next on the agenda. Karen joined the Met back in 1976, donning a force-issued handbag to store a wooden truncheon, which she still owns to this day but joked it is now a little worse for wear. Starting out on response at Woolwich


and Plumstead, she worked there for four years before moving to Peckham for 18 years followed by Lewisham for 25 years. Jobs include working on the crime


squad and murder squad in the 70s and the crime desk, home beat and


12 | POLICE | APRIL | 2024


even annoyed that I returned. But I was adamant I was not going to leave. “Although I have done many bits over the years, I loved being on the response team. I have worked with some absolutely fantastic people and have made some wonderful friendships that are ongoing.” On the topic of negative media


coverage, she advised: “In a way you have got to narrow your view. I am aware of the negative publicity and all that’s going on, but I narrow my view and I think ‘I enjoy what I’m doing, I’m working with some great colleagues, we get on really well and it is an interesting job’. “Think about the things you really like. Of course, consider what’s going on but it shouldn’t be the focus as that is what brings you down. “Policing is a great role, and we do a wonderful job in helping the public. We


do it every day all over the country, while in the media you would think we’re the worst people in the world. The job is full of fabulous people and so I think we need to refocus in a way and have a bit of pride in ourselves.


“I think we all, mostly, do


a really great job and do a lot of things we don’t have to do. The police service is full of really compassionate,


kind, friendly, helpful people and I think it is easy to dwell on the media’s constant attacks on police officers and that is not the reality.” Delegates listened with admiration as she shared her most important message on creating a culture of being kind, helping one another and raising each other up to be the best people they can be. “I want people in all ranks to ask themselves, ‘am I doing everything I can to help my colleagues’. That’s what we need to do going forward as a team. We are all one team,” she said. “We are all doing a job within the police service, and we are all of value.” Karen, who is 66 years old and has no


plans to retire anytime soon, continued: “I like going to work and enjoy what I am doing so that is what I am going to do until something happens and I can’t.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52