SPECIALS SPOTLIGHT


THANK YOU, Nicky


Starting her career with the Royal Air Force, PFEW Special Constabulary lead, Nicky Ryan, retired last month after serving Gwent police for more than 30 years. We celebrate her contributions and bid farewell for the future


At the end of November this year, the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) bid adieu to its Special Constabulary lead Nicky Ryan after 30 plus years of service to the Crown. Nicky’s contribution to the Police Federation has left an indelible mark that will last for many years to come. Nowhere is this clearer than her work with the Special Constabulary. Nicky began her career in the RAF before joining Gwent Police in 1996. She began her policing career working as a beat officer in the Valleys until 2006. During this time, she trained as a sexual offences liaison officer, providing support to victims from the initial reporting of the crime to its appearance in court, and as a family liaison officer acting as the point of contact between the family and investigation team in the event of a death or serious injury. In 2006, she moved into intelligence, working on a number of high-profile incidents, gathering and analysing intelligence to identify offenders and bring them to justice using covert intelligence methods, ensuring all legal authorities were in place and relevant legislation was adhered to. After five years in intelligence Nicky joined the neighbourhood policing team in 2011. Providing a trusted presence within the local community to make life better and safer for the residents, she worked with partner agencies to create initiatives to steer children away from anti-social and criminal behaviour. Nicky’s warm


28 | POLICE | DECEMBER | 2023


persona, commitment to building trust and relationships within policing is a theme that has run through her career. In 2013 she was part of a team that pioneered the Gwent Police Prosecution Team, building good working relationships with the Crown Prosecution Service and Her Majesty’s Court and Tribunal Service, creating processes regarding prosecuting cases and making quick time decisions during trials about the future of a case. It was in 2016 that Nicky first joined the


Police Federation as a representative. Upholding the working terms and conditions of fellow officers, Nicky made


and all that entails. In 2019 Nicky was elected as Gwent


“Nicky ensured forces are working in ways that are compliant with police regulations,


sure the force strictly adhered to police regulations and relevant legislation, challenging any proposals that did not comply or breached force policies. In 2018 she was promoted to sergeant and worked in the force control room as area incident sergeant, supporting the force incident manager in responding to policing incidents. She ensured sufficient resources were available, coordinating their deployment and making sure that the appropriate legal authorities were in place. Nicky also provided guidance on risk and what action should be taken on routine policing calls; all in addition to managing a shift of 20 police officers and support staff


establishing correct welfare mechanisms in the workplace for special constables to access.”


Police Federation branch secretary. As branch secretary she represented members in matters of police misconduct, equality and employment, as well as supporting those off sick or returning from long-term sick, negotiating return to work plans and alternative roles to accommodate their needs. Reviewing current working practices and job roles within the branch, Nicky made sure they were cost efficient, streamlining processes where possible and liaising with HR to amend roles to make them more in tune with modern day demands. In addition to this, she managed a team of two full-time staff and 14 volunteer representatives, which included allocating and monitoring work, organising training


and development opportunities, and organising and implementing Covid safety regimes during the pandemic such as social distancing and working from home. In 2021 Nicky became Special


Constabulary lead, developing and implementing the national sign-up process for recruiting special constables to PFEW. She built relationships with the 43 federation branches and built trust between the volunteers and PFEW, achieving a 42 per cent sign-up nationwide in the first 12 months. Special constables have been eligible for PFEW membership for almost 18 months and in that time Nicky has endeavoured


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