REPS SPOTLIGHT
that I was in school at all! Injustice! Another life affirming moment was when I was eleven. I made my first 999 call in the middle of the night. My mum grabbed the phone from me (a landline in those days, it was 1973) and crashed it back in the cradle. Even today I feel terrible about the call taker who took that call as there was no way of identifying who I was, where the call had come from and she couldn’t send anybody to help. It was a nightmare and I sorted it out myself. Ironically these days I take those calls, we have triangulation and there would be no stone unturned until police talked to that child. I made a plan that night that my future children would never feel that gut wrenching anxiety that I suffered with (and still do), and I have succeeded in that vision, I have three secure, well balanced, happy, loving adult children and I couldn’t be happier! History does not have to repeat itself. Having been told in school
colleagues. I did this way before I was a Rep and continue to do so now. The climate is better now, people are more careful with their words and actions, the environment is far more respectful. I am not easy, I recognise that. On one
occasion I had a PDR with ‘exceeded’, ‘exceeded’, ‘achieved’, and an action plan for ‘insubordination’. That particular supervisor is one of my favourites and we laugh about it now. As a Rep I am there for officers in a dark time when they have been served papers and face the reality of losing their job. I ensure the process is fair, timely, and just. My teaching skills are valuable and I love seeing a student succeed. They know I have their back. Policing is dangerous. It was rare to
who too often feel unheard. “I want to be the voice for people in
specialist roles,” she explains. “There are a lot of officers who don’t think to ask for Federation advice or support, especially when it comes to navigating the complicated police regulations.” This sense of advocacy isn’t something
“I think retention is probably our biggest challenge. Obviously, there’s the pay issue, but that’s a national thing we’re doing.”
that I was thick and wouldn’t amount to anything I gained O levels, A levels, a Biology BSc and a master’s degree in marine biology…Justice! I was originally a marine biologist working on Antarctic fish but was not allowed to go to Signy Island with the British Antarctic Survey as I was woman, injustice! I then trained as a teacher, but something was missing. I suppose having been brought up with chaos, drama and violence I wanted to carry on trying to reduce it. I was fed up with kids telling me I couldn’t do anything when they behaved badly. On one occasion a lad cut the ear of another student with a pair of scissors in an art class resulting in 6 stitches, a lot of blood, and nobody seemed to think that was a particular problem, yet another injustice. I joined the police. I had three children, my husband wasn’t well, it was a long journey and financially broke us with fuel costs. However, it was an amazing few years, an incredible job, terrifying experiences. I was particularly interested in drink driving offences, absolutely ruthless. I trained officers, enjoying positive outcomes resulting in justice. This had been imbedded in me since I was seven and was finally of use in my job. I experienced misogyny, bullying,
unfairness. Throughout my career I challenged behaviour, (regardless of rank), stood up for myself and my
see a knife, acid attacks were unknown, people were dangerous in more predictable ways. I worry about the students, some don’t appear to be very alert to dangers. It makes my heart sing when I see good practice. I am at the very end of my career now. I am on the beach and tide is coming in. It is nearly time for me to leave and I have plans…I have a glass studio and am busy making delicate glass lace bowls, gorgeous glass rock pools and ocean based sculptures, I paint, and I have my growing family. So, if I was to describe my career in one word, it would have to be justice.
that always came naturally to Tracy. For years, she believed Federation roles were only for those nearing retirement or removed from frontline duties. That perception changed when she saw fellow shift officers stepping into the Federation space. “If they can do it, I can do it,” she recalls thinking. Today, she’s helping redefine what Federation representation looks like; accessible, relevant, and present. Tracy is a passionate advocate for meaningful representation within the Federation. “You need a complete cross- section of officers,” she says, “from neighbourhood, response, custody, traffic, CID, and restricted officers.” She emphasises that every background brings a different,
valuable perspective that enriches the Federation’s understanding and response to members’ concerns. Visibility is key. In Thames Valley,
Federation reps wear clearly branded polo shirts and lanyards to ensure they’re recognisable in the workplace. “When you’re visible, people feel more comfortable coming to you. That’s when the real issues surface.” For Tracy, one of the biggest issues
facing Thames Valley Police is retention. “We really struggle to keep officers,” she admits. “The way to tackle that is through communication with senior leadership and that’s where the Federation can be a bridge.”
Tracy Mills: A Federation Voice for the Front Line With 17 years in policing and a career that spans response, neighbourhood teams, public order
policing, and even a key role in the Novichok cleanup in Salisbury, she brings a unique and grounded perspective to the table. Now splitting her time between neighbourhood duties and her Federation responsibilities in Thames Valley Police, Tracy is focused on giving voice to officers
She also highlights the importance of local Federation reps being involved in resourcing meetings. “When officers come to us with concerns about being moved or redeployed, we can explain the bigger picture. It doesn’t always make the news easier to take, but it makes it easier to understand. Communication is key” Morale and pay are also constant challenges, and Tracy is realistic about the Federation’s limited powers. “We’re not activists,” she says, but stresses the importance of completing surveys and providing data that senior reps can use to advocate at the national level. “Yeah, I think retention is probably our biggest challenge. Obviously, there’s
51 | POLICE | AUGUST | 2025
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