FEMALE CHAIRS (CONCLUDING PART)
leading Federation branches? When I first became Chair, I would be one of only a handful of females in the room at national meetings, in fact when I was the Sergeant Secretary, I think I was only one of three nationally. It’s really nice to see more female Chairs and Secretaries now which means the role is now more attractive to everyone and we have evolved. Issues that only effect women personally such as menopause are so important now that we have more women in policing than ever and as many of us have first-hand experience of this, we can make sure these issues are addressed. In essence we now becoming more representative of those we represent but we still have work to do around other minority groups.
Do you feel the increasing visibility of females in these roles is having a tangible effect on your colleagues, particularly female officers or reps? We have never had an issue locally recruiting female Fed reps since I have been the Chair but nationally it is nice to see more females in these roles and does encourage more female reps to stand. I was the first female Traffic Sergeant in my force for around 25 years, so being the first female Chair of our branch means
perhaps times are really changing. Congratulations to Lauren Somerville from Cleveland who has been elected as the Branch Chair and will be taking up the role on 1 September. This historic shift is more than symbolic.
It is tangible proof that transformation is underway within the Federation and policing itself. As these voices grow louder and leadership becomes more inclusive, the Police Federation is better positioned to reflect and serve the diverse communities that officers protect every day.
step up. Looking back, I realise I’d been preparing for leadership all along. I’ve spent years caring for and advocating for my sister, making sure her voice was heard when she couldn’t always speak for herself. And in reflection, I’ve also been speaking up for people all my career, that is the nature of policing, giving a voice to victims. Both of these things have shaped me and taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of standing firm for others — all of which I now bring to this role with confidence.
LAUREN SOMERVILLE CHAIR, CLEVELAND What inspired you to put yourself forward
for this leadership role within the Federation, and how did your journey here unfold? It was an opportunity that came to me, and at first, I wasn’t sure I could do it. Like many people stepping into a big seat like Chair, I had a flicker of imposter syndrome. But my colleagues believed in me, and that belief gave me the confidence to
In your experience, what are the most important qualities a Branch Chair must bring to the role? The most important thing is listening, like, really listening to what officers are saying, even if it’s difficult to hear. People need to feel they’ve been understood. Being approachable and visible is just as important, that’s why I’ve been doing the drop-ins at stations in my first month as Chair. They give me the chance to speak to officers face-to-face, in their own spaces, and to pick up on things I’d never get from an email or report. It also takes a bit of courage; you have to challenge things that aren’t right in a way that protects the members. Finally, it’s earning
39 | POLICE | OCTOBER | 2025
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