In 2007, at the age of 16, I joined my local Home Office force as Police Cadet. I was employed full time for 2 years, gaining a valuable insight into all aspects of Policing and what future careers would be open to me.
Following this incredible experience, I joined the same force as a PC in 2009. I spent 7 years on front-line response Policing. Within this time, I was fortunate enough to have a baby with my husband, who was also front-line, working from the same station. I have many memories of handing over our daughter in the office if one of us was off late, and doing 3 night shifts on the trot with maximum of 3 hours sleep. Getting flexible working hours agreed wasn’t easy then, and we had to struggle through with what we were offered.
After 7 years, an injury on duty and the struggles following that, I left Policing all-together to run my own business in the education sector. This was a wonderful time of learning a whole different perspective on life. This journey of learning taught me that I could go back to what I know best, Policing, and start making positive changes.
I wanted a new challenge within a new force whose values aligned with my own. I was fortunate enough to join BTP in January of 2022 as a re-joiner. The application process was simple, and I was updated with the progress along the way. I was able to contact the Sergeant on the team I was joining and made a couple of visits before I started.
I joined a small Tasking Team, where we would use a mixture of plain clothes and high-visibility Policing to combat specific issues along a certain route. These operations were very successful, and saw many offenders, such as sexual assault suspects, being identified, arrested and swiftly brought to justice. Our work would be co-ordinated with other teams with as CID, response teams and specialist departments, who would always be there for advice when needed.
What I was discovered very quickly about BTP, is that staff and officers are respected equally, and work together exceptionally well. I found the force really wants to develop people and give them opportunities to explore their passions. I have been able to go on attachments with departments I have interest in and am still being supported now in pursuing my future career aspirations. BTP is the first place I’ve felt such a strong sense of everyone supporting each other, encouraging growth and development. BTP is also the first place where I have felt truly supported as a parent, and as someone with a long-term chronic health condition. Throughout my many hospital visits and operations, my colleagues have been there to brighten my spirits, and make me feel that real essence of what a ‘Police family’ really is. I have been well supported with adjustments to the workplace when this has been needed, and cannot thank those around me enough for their continued unwavering support.
I am now part of the Positive Action Recruitment Team, and I aim to make BTP a force that I know would look after my own children, should they follow in their parents’ footsteps. I work with the Female Police Association and the National Police Endometriosis Working Group. I am currently raising awareness of the challenges that gynaecological conditions can bring to Policing, and am looking to make the force as inclusive as possible for those suffering with such conditions. Being female should never be a barrier, and I’m proud to be part of a force that is proactive in taking steps to support parents and people with gynaecological conditions.
