WOMEN IN THE FORCE


POWER AND PASSION


As International Women’s Day approaches, we are showcasing some of the work being done across England and Wales by inspirational women in policing


POLICE SERGEANT MICHELLE FORSTER


to ensure the cadets were getting exactly what they needed from the scheme. Michelle creates most sessions for the


Newly promoted Police Sergeant Michelle Forster of Northumbria Police has been the Gateshead Cadets leader for the last three years, after taking on the programme with minimal training or assistance. Launching into the role, Michelle immediately applied to attend safeguarding courses, leadership courses and training in mentoring and coaching


40-strong group of 14- to 17-year-olds herself, producing insightful lessons, arranging police expert visits, delivering mock interviews and CV training for future job opportunities. As well as organising volunteering events for the cadets. Michelle’s cadets won the 2021 Citizens in Policing Award for their Outstanding Contribution to their community. Through the pandemic, Michelle has continued to coach and mentor the cadet group, by providing coping strategies to help with the loneliness of lockdown and tasking them with challenges to help in their local communities. Michelle also acts as a recruitment support ambassador for her force and a mentor and tutor to cadets graduating from the scheme. She has recently supported two female cadets into roles as a community support officer and a special constable


respectively. Michelle was also a volunteer mentor for the Girl’s Network, giving up her personal time to mentor young women who would otherwise have limited access to female professional role models. Michelle says: “I have learnt so much being a cadet leader. The cadets are great to teach and they always come to sessions with a positive attitude. I am passionate about developing young people and working on early intervention methods to build better relationships between the police and young people.”


POLICE CONSTABLE HEIDI GOLDSACK


and prevent disorder is adhered to. Heidi’s role saw her taking on the task of working as an Intelligence Officer, as well as planning the police response to a game. Upon starting the role, Heidi attended


Police Constable Heidi Goldsack of North Wales Police spent seven years as the only female in the highly specialised role of Dedicated Football Officer in North Wales, and one of a small number across the UK. The role requires the officer to work closely with the football club to ensure that complex legislation to keep safety


24| POLICE | FEBRUARY 2022


almost every fixture at home and all those away where the host force had asked for attendance. This allowed her to get to know all of the ‘risk’ fans and to build relationships with them, alongside those on the outside who may not commit offences but who may be able to provide essential information. Heidi gave up weekends throughout the football season to attend the games, working long days both in her home force and away in towns across the UK with colleagues from other forces. Unfortunately, Heidi has had to endure


gender-based condescension from a minority of peers as a result of her role – but she has never let this diminish her resolve. Heidi says: “I absolutely loved the time I was full time DFO and feel some may not appreciate the time and dedication DFO’s across the country put into the role. Females are hugely underrepresented in Football Policing and it really is a great role to become involved in should the opportunity arise. “Unfortunately I am no longer the full time DFO in North Wales Police, but the opportunities it gave and the people I was fortunate enough to work with I hold in high regard. It certainly was one of the best roles I have held during my 18 years as an officer.”


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