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Grapevine Spring 2012 Cover section_Layout 1 07/05/2012 17:35 Page 1 Grapevine Spring 2012_Layout 1 07/05/2012 17:33 Page 1 FROM THE EDITOR WHEN I read through the final version of Grapevine before sending it to the printers I am always amazed at the work going on across the country to help support NEWS and develop women in From the President’s Desk 2 policing. This issue is no exception with a double page A single force for Scotland 3 spread on pages 8 and 9 showcasing the energy and commitment of those organising a Gender Agenda 3 takes a wider look at how wide range of events. change affects women 4 It is also encouraging that new officers, such as Louise Women playing their part in tackling terrorism 5 Mann on page 10, are still coming into the service with a desire to help people; while long-standing officers, such as Nottinghamshire reviews network aims 6 Jackie Alexander on pages 12 and 13, are experiencing a Police and crime commissioners to replace renewed enthusiasm as they take on new challenges. police authorities 7 But we cannot ignore that policing is going through a period of immense change. A single police service for Scotland and a whole raft of recommendations from Part FEATURES 2 of the Winsor Review (see page 3) will impact upon each Grapevine reports on what and every officer and member of police staff. However, 8-9 six forces have done to change can bring with it opportunities and on page 11 raise morale and inspire there are tips to deal with change and proof from one female officers and staff in woman that it can be all right in the end. these challenging times. This issue has also reaffirmed my long-held belief that the British Cover Story Police Service is amongst the best in In the Spotlight the world. In the past few months 10 Probationer Constable Louise Mann finally the work of the BAWP has inspired a gets her dream job Lebanese policewoman tasked with recruiting 1,200 female officers Personal Development – dealing with change (see page 15) and our vice president 11 Ellie Bird spoke at the first police Assistant Editor: Policing the police Nicky Phillipson women’s conference in Abu Dhabi 12-13 The work of the professional (see page 4 and 15). standards department is crucial to maintaining the public’s confidence in the police, says Detective DATES FOR Superintendent Jackie Alexander YOUR DIARY International News 2012 14 Retired officer leaves London for the desert IAWP Training Conference. St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. September 9-15. www.iawp2012.org UK policing provides inspiration BAWP Awards Presentation Lunch. Edinburgh. 15 for Lebanese policewoman Tuesday November 6. Scottish Women’s Development Forum PDD. Scottish Police College, Tulliallan. Wednesday November 7. Membership details 16 Editor: Inspector Kim Madill Assistant Editor: Nicky Phillipson Copy deadline for Summer/Autumn issue email: [email protected] email: [email protected] is Friday August 10, 2012. Grapevine is produced by the British Association Design and production: for Women in Policing. Brookhill Design Studio Limited All rights reserved. No part of this Tel: 01438 722710 publication may be reproduced or Tel: 0844 414 0448 email: [email protected] transmitted in any form without the email: [email protected] www.brookhilldesignstudio.co.uk permission of the BAWP. GRAPEVINE Spring 2012 Grapevine Spring 2012_Layout 1 07/05/2012 17:33 Page 2 2 NEWS From the President’s Desk Policing is certainly a challenging the introduction of police and environment to be working in with crime commissioners will give the so many people facing uncertain power back to the people, I hope futures. This is why the refresh of we see lots of women standing for Gender Agenda couldn’t have come election. AS I write this the recommendations at a better time. The researchers With the Olympics only a matter from Part 2 of the Winsor Review have have been asked not only to look at of months away the world’s eyes just been released. We in BAWP will of the impact of change on officers and will soon be upon us. This is an ideal course be studying them in detail to staff, but also upon women in the opportunity for the UK to prove consider what affect they will have on community. It is this work which we that despite the massive changes women in policing; we spent a great deal can use to ensure women in the we are undergoing it still has some of time on our submission during the community are considered when of the very best officers and staff in consultation period and I hope the points national policy decisions are made. the world who wear their uniform we made were taken into consideration. The Government has promised that with pride. 9 Spring brings new projects for Parwinder A NEW mentoring scheme, plans to refresh the website, the annual awards International Women’s Day – and membership survey have all been top of the agenda for BAWP’s national March 8, 2012 co-ordinator Parwinder Dale. EVENTS were held across the country to celebrate Adverts for mentors and mentees will be International Women’s Day. In Derby a multi-agency going out in April as part of BAWP’s new scheme Olympics inspired event offered guest speakers, health to offer personal and professional support to information stalls, volunteering opportunities and female officers and staff. If you are interested entertainment with bouncy castles and face painting Parwinder Dale email Parwinder on [email protected] for the children. Other highlights in Parwinder’s diary Sussex Police staged include attending: a more formal affair 5 The Women’s Reserve meeting at with speakers Sir Hugh Federation House, Leatherhead to hear Orde and Chief about the federation’s position on the Constable Lynne Winsor Review. Current equality issues, the Owens. The 400 people impact the Olympics Games will have on attending the City of female officers, riots and the public sector London Police arranged strike were also topics for discussion. event were urged to dig 5 The Equality Liaison Officer and HR deep and raise money seminar organised by the Police Federation for Refuge. In return Poetry competition winners pictured with Met Police Diversity for England and Wales. Its aim was to Director Denise Milani (centre) they were given top develop and improve understanding of ill tips for success by the health pensions and Equality Impact Assessments in respect of key note speakers, who included the actor David Morrissey. police flexible and part time working issues, including police Officers and staff within the Metropolitan Police Service were regulations. given a chance to get creative with a competition to pen a poem 5 Bedfordshire Women’s Network development day, held in Luton. about gender issues and the future of the service. The Metropolitan’s See more on pages 8 and 9. Black Police Association decided their event, aimed to inspire, would 5 A meeting with the chair of the Metropolitan Women Police be a chance to reiterate that networking is not a dirty word. Association. “This was a preliminary meeting looking at different BAWP’s own Parwinder Dale took to the stage at the International ways to celebrate 100 years of women within the service,” said Academy, Bramshill to speak about women in policing to 44 female Parwinder. Look out for more details in Grapevine later in diplomats and wives of diplomats from the Chinese Embassy in the year. 9 the UK. 9 GRAPEVINE Spring 2012 Grapevine Spring 2012_Layout 1 07/05/2012 17:33 Page 3 NEWS 3 I NEW POLICE SERVICE OF SCOTLAND A SINGLE Scottish police force is Scottish Police set to launch in April 2013. Compared to men, Service.” Jackie Officers and staff from the Central added. Scotland Police, Dumfries and Galloway women tend to have a BAWP vice Constabulary, Fife Constabulary, Grampian bigger proportion of president Ellie Bird Police, Lothian and Borders Police, agrees with Jackie Northern Constabulary, Strathclyde Police caring responsibilities that the reform of and Tayside Police as well as colleagues policing in Scotland from the Scottish Police Services Authority and are therefore more could pose a Jackie Muller and the Scottish Crime and Drug challenge for some Enforcement Agency, will be formed into a restricted in where they officers and staff in single body. can work the short term. But she urges those The new chief constable and their involved to look beyond their immediate immediate command team are expected personal and professional plans. “A career to be based initially at the Scottish Police in policing can span 30 years and this College in Tulliallan, Fife. effectively,” she said. However Jackie says reform enables officers to gain experience, A national fire service is also being she is concerned that women could be progress and specialise across every created in a programme of reform which disproportionately affected by the change discipline that policing offers. With that in the Scottish Government says will save an and has already highlighted this issue with mind I am confident that for the majority estimated £1.7 billion over 15 years. the project’s equality lead DCC Steve Allen. these changes create tremendous Jackie Muller, who acts as the equality “Compared to men, women tend to have a opportunities.” lead for Scottish Police Federation, says the bigger proportion of caring responsibilities The Police and Fire (Reform) Scotland new force is a “blank canvas” to build a and are therefore more restricted in where Bill will also establish local senior officers in diverse and non-discriminatory service.