WOMEN IN POLICING
As Callie-Ann, a special constable with the Metropolitan Police Service, prepares to represent Team GB at the Paris Paralympics, she writes about her journey as a swimmer and a special constable, bringing to you insights into how she overcame some of the struggles which made her stronger, her aspirations and what she is doing to achieve them
SWIMMING HER WAY TO PARIS
I have been a special constable (SC) with the MPS since January 2022. Previously, I was a SC in Kent, between 2018 and 2022, before transferring to the MPS. I have done a range of roles within the special constabulary, across both forces, from being part of a response team in Medway to Safer Transport in south-east London. My current role within the MPS is as a SC on the Roads Policing Team (RPT). I have always wanted to be a part of RPT since I was young and reached my dream role this year. My colleagues are very supportive and treat me as they do everyone else. The majority of the garage are not even aware that I have a disability until I tell them, and then they start to
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notice it more. It’s kind of an invisible yet visible disability.
My disability does have an impact on my day-to-day life and there are certain things I cannot do and need help with even at home. I wear an AFO (Ankle Foot Orthotic), which is a splint, on my left leg, but when I am on a shift I only wear my boots as they give just as much support as my AFO. Occupational Health have been brilliant, and I have reasonable adjustments in place in order for me to be a SC. These are mainly invisible adjustments that people do not know exist, but that is what is brilliant, because it allows me to do the job just like everyone else and no one can tell
the difference. I am one of these people who pushes through pain, probably a bit too much, and I will always do everything until I physically cannot. I have adapted the way I do my officer safety training due to my slight balance issues, but it always has the same outcome as my colleagues – we just learn, overcome, and adapt. It was a bit of a shock to get selected
for Paris because I knew the spaces were limited. As a child, I aimed to reach the Olympics one day. This was before I knew anything about the Paralympics. My Paralympics aim did not start until around late 2022. This was when I was first classified for an impairment. Each para- athlete has to be classified in their sport for
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