WOMEN IN POLICING


Norfolk – T/Insp Christopher Banks is the tactical lead for the ‘HeForShe’ campaign, a global movement to encourage solidarity with women. His work is paying off – his Force has now embarked on initiatives to offer better protection and support to females in the workplace.


North Wales – PC Heidi Goldsack is the only female dedicated football officer in Wales – a highly specialised role. She has earned respect for her willingness to support colleagues, to give sound intelligence assessments and to directly challenge poor behaviour before, during or after matches. PC Rae Ellis is a Fed rep who champions equality and inclusion. Her recruitment efforts have resulted in more females than males applying to be fast-track detectives – a first for her Force. She recently set-up a multi-faith chaplaincy service and recruited four new chaplains. Sergeant Sophie Daly drives diversity in the workforce – recruiting officers from under-represented communities and developing student constables. She even takes time out of her private life to ensure her colleagues’ welfare is looked after.


North Yorkshire – PC Uzma Amireddy is a Positive Action Co-ordinator. Her experience as a Muslim female officer with a young family has made her a passionate advocate of equal opportunities. She enhanced recruitment among BAME communities, women and the LGBT+ community. She works hard to challenge misunderstandings in the community and in Force.


Northamptonshire – PC Chloe Hegarty- Boatman worked in domestic abuse prevention and is now a trainer for Taser. Her efforts and encouragement resulted in an increase in females participating in the Taser uplift. PC Megan Scotney showed professionalism and resilience in achieving justice for victims of sexual violence. She knew that success would depend on the victims attending court. PC Rachel Morrison manages several high-risk cases including rape and serious sexual offending. She maintains excellent working relationships with victims and demonstrates care and compassion, ensuring they remain at the heart of all that she seeks to achieve.


Northumbria – Sergeant Helen Hunter changed roles from intelligence officer to a proactive role within the Neighbourhood Support Team. She volunteered for a temporary promotion to guide her team and has achieved excellent results. PC Michelle Forster mentored Gateshead Cadets during lockdown, giving them coping strategies


and tasking them with challenges to help in their community. Michelle is also a volunteer mentor via the Girls Network giving up her personal time to mentor young females who would otherwise have limited access to role models.


South Wales – DS Jo Jones has 25 years of service. She became a Mental Health Champion and has helped numerous colleagues. Following the Pontypridd flooding, Jo went door to door to help, bailing out flood water, re-housing residents or making trips to the shops for much needed supplies.


Staffordshire – PC Claire Bond was injured trying to apprehend a drug dealer. She underwent a five-hour operation to save her shattered leg. Claire showed tenacity and strength through her long recovery, refusing to accept the limitations of her injuries. She was able to return to work, and now works in the training department inspiring new recruits.


Surrey – DCI Charlotte Rimmer was instrumental in providing opportunities for women to complete their fitness test and training in a female only environment. Initially run as a pilot, desire


to attend was so prominent that these are now a permanent fixture.


Thames Valley – Sergeant Narinder (Nindy) Sindhu, who retired in December, was the first female BAME officer in Slough. Her ability to speak Punjabi helped engage with the community. Nindy’s work in domestic abuse and focus on highlighting the sensitive crimes of HBA and FGM enhanced systems of recording Force-wide and the implementation of policies and procedures to respond to them.


Warwickshire – Inspector Lucy Sewell created a ‘buddy up’ system so serving and former officers and staff could share their burdens during the pandemic. She realised that many soon-to-be and new parents would benefit from advice and support from others with similar experiences. Lucy has implemented Warwickshire’s parental support programme which is going from strength to strength.


West Mercia – Darren Heyes has been instrumental in making firearms training and working hours more appropriate for women, as well as buying new equipment which addresses the different physical traits of men and women such as grip sizes and female body armour. Darren commenced women only AFO taster days and introduced a ‘buddy scheme’ to support and retain female AFOs. Julian Smith has taken steps to increase female representation within firearms and roads policing. He is an active “HeForShe” advocate and took responsibility to take issues of maternity leave and work-life balance forward, to ensure they were addressed.


DC Alex Protts, who is nominated posthumously, joined Surrey Police as a staff member in 2004 and became an officer a decade later. In 2018 she secured the first conviction for modern slavery offences in Surrey, following a five-week trial mostly in Hungarian. Alex’s tenacity, and dedication ensured the matter progressed to court and the support she gave the victims was second to none. Throughout the investigation and trial, Alex was in constant pain. That year, aged 37, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer and lost her battle in January this year. Alex made such a difference throughout her life, putting her sense of public service above her own needs.


West Midlands – DS Neata Simpson organises support sessions for officers and staff on maternity or adoption leave. The regular events allow discussions about personal problems and an opportunity to be signposted to specialist help.


West Yorkshire – Kirsty Wright is responsible for steering hundreds of student officers through their probationary period, including spending time on patrol with them and providing emotional support. In addition to being a family liaison officer, Kirsty supports officers injured in the line of duty and those who have suffered trauma.


Wiltshire – Liz Coles undertook a significant piece of work to understand why women don't always feel that they can progress within Wiltshire Police. Her recommendations were presented to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Board and have shaped some of the work being taken forward to improve representation of women in leadership roles.


37 I POLICE I JUNE 2021


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