Grapevine Autumn cover section 4/9/07 08:50 Page 1 Grapevine Autumn 2007 4/9/07 08:49 Page 1 From the Editor hope you will enjoy this addition of Grapevine. I certainly enjoyed putting it Itogether; particularly with the diverse range of topics we have covered in this edition. Can I point you all in the direction of the article on page 15 and the plea from IAWP colleagues to support the ‘Send a NEWS Cow’ charity they visited in Uganda. It is BAWP Birthday Celebrations in House of Lords 2 assisting women’s groups in the community Met wins family friendly employer award 3 with independence – a very worthy cause. Some of you may be aware that I have moved to a new role Managing something big – working for ACPO TAM as staff officer to the National Co-ordinator for top tips from Eastern region event 4 CBRN terrorism. This is a really interesting business area, but like many specialist fields is dominated by male colleagues. I have been Robyn helps Norwegian Police with diversity issues 5 fortunate enough to start adding the female perspective to this area of FEATURES policing and will be with staff from the Police National CBRN Centre at the BAWP Specialist Roles Professional Development Day in Report from Health Professional Development Day 6-7 September. My aim is to develop a greater awareness of CBRN Read about how to keep healthy and find out what delegates (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents) and provide thought of the day the centre with more understanding about the issues affecting women in the organisation. Putting people, not the police first 8-9 As always please get in touch with me at my new address below if Citizen focus is about viewing policing you have any stories that you wish to be included in the next addition through a different lens says ACPO – or catch me at the PDD. Portfolio Holder Julie Spence Dates for your diary 2007 In the Spotlight 10 Evening reception at the House of Lords to mark BAWP’s Find out more about one of last year’s BAWP winners Amanda Bott 20th anniversary – Thursday November 1. Tackling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 11 Conference hosted by Suffolk Association of Women in The new threat to UK policing Policing – Suffolk Constabulary HQ, November 23. Open to staff from Suffolk, Cambs and Norfolk. To register please contact: [email protected] [email protected] A BAWP birthday trip or [email protected] down memory lane 12-14 Find out more about the history of women in policing, 2008 the BAWP and read the real-life stories of how it used Senior Women in Policing Conference – Hilton Metropole, NEC, to be Birmingham. Monday February 25 to Wednesday February 27. IAWP Co-ordinator Helen Rawlings’ trip to Uganda 15 Spring Professional Development Day – Forest of Arden Hotel, Warwickshire. Monday April 28 (dinner) and Tuesday April 29. 46th Annual IAWP Training Conference – Darwin, Australia, Membership details 16 September 6-12. Cover photograph reproduced courtesy Police Mutual Assurance Society. Autumn Professional Development Day – Forest of Arden Hotel, Staffordshire Police Chief Inspector Vera Bloor (behind) and Bedfordshire Police Warwickshire. Monday October 13 (AGM and dinner) and Tuesday Chief Constable Gillian Parker at the UK COPS Annual Service of Remembrance. Read about it on page five. October 14. Editor: Inspector Kim Rowley Assistant Editor: Nicky Phillipson Copy deadline for Winter issue is email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Friday November 2, 2007 Grapevine is produced by the British Design and production: All rights reserved. No part of this publication Association for Women in Policing. Brookhill Design Studio Limited may be reproduced or transmitted in any Tel: 01438 722710 form without the permission of the BAWP. Tel: 0870 766 4056 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] www.brookhilldesignstudio.co.uk GRAPEVINE Autumn 2007 I 1 Grapevine Autumn 2007 4/9/07 08:49 Page 2 News in brief Off to Denver... THREE BAWP award winners have had to pack their cases this month (September) for a trip to Denver, Do women have different views on policing to men? USA. This is the question set to be explored in detail at next year’s Senior Women in Policing conference. From the It is clear to me that the police service as a whole hasn’t considered the distinction between what men want from their President’s local police and what women want and whether that is indeed Desk different. We need to listen more and guess less about what service to provide. What is a woman’s take on the service we give? Do Photograph reproduced courtesy Lindsay Wilson Photography Ltd we consider their needs as victims, witnesses and offenders? I propose to address this gulf in knowledge at the conference, but in the meantime urge you all The trio have gained international to consider how you can personally tackle this consultation gap on a local level. recognition by winning their categories in the We need to look at how we provide a service fit for everyone, which is citizen-focused and meets IAWP 2007 awards. everyone’s needs. You can read in detail about my views on providing this citizen-focused service on Susan Medley from the Met has won the pages eight and nine. ‘Civilian Achievement award’, DC Gill Internally the police service needs to become more focused on its staff. Health and leadership Matthews and DS Rebecca Driscoll (pictured) development are two issues which need to be brought to the fore. BAWP continually strives to from Cleveland Police jointly won the provide forces with help and support on both these issues through the professional development ‘Excellence in Performance award’. days. The Met Police’s Detective Chief We have some fantastic people working for us, something I realise on a daily basis, and should be Superintendent Peter Spindler has been helping them to achieve their full potential. The latest figures from the Home Office only show a one awarded the IAWP President’s Recognition per cent increase in the number of female police officers. We have to make policing an attractive Award – but isn’t able to join the others in career choice. Maybe if we provide a service women want – we will create an environment more Denver. women want to work in. BAWP Awards Organiser BTP Chief Inspector Jane Townsley, said this showed great recognition for the quality of UK policing. “I am really pleased the four have Anniversary celebration beaten off competition from across the world to get these awards.” She added. at House of Lords Bath star for Jane BAWP members and supporters are set to mingle with the gentry at a reception being held at the House of Lords in November. A BATH STAR has been added to Jane The prestigious event, which is being hosted by Baroness Angela Harris Sawyers’ epaulette. (pictured), has been arranged to mark 20 years of the BAWP. Jane (42) who works for Staffordshire Baroness Harris, who became the first woman to chair North Yorkshire Police, has been promoted to chief Police Authority in 1991, is described by organiser Carolyn Williamson as a superintendent and handed the reins to “staunch BAWP supporter”. She was also Deputy Chair of the Association of Stoke-on-Trent division as commander. Police Authorities between 1997 – 2001. As superintendent Jane held posts in the All members, past and present, are welcome to attend the gathering on November 1, and professional standards department, human Carolyn has urged everyone “to get the date in their diaries now”. resources and at North Staffs division. As a It is hoped that the event will be in part sponsored, but a small charge may be made to chief inspector she worked in the call-handling cover costs. unit, complaints and discipline, and as Chief A booklet documenting the history of the BAWP is being prepared to be handed out on the night. Constable’s staff officer. She joined the force You can keep up to date on the preparations for the reception on the BAWP website or by in 1984 and has also served in Stoke, contacting Carolyn by email [email protected] Longton, Newcastle, Lichfield, Tamworth and Members will receive information on how to book a place later in the year. Cannock. • Take an advance trip down memory lane on pages 12-14 where BAWP’s development over the Jane, who last 20 years is charted. You can also read interviews with female police officers about their lives in the experiences through the years. Stoke area, says she is “delighted” with the promotion. Photograph reproduced courtesy Staffordshire Police 2 I GRAPEVINE Autumn 2007 Photograph reproduced courtesy Deryc Sands (Parliament) Grapevine Autumn 2007 4/9/07 08:49 Page 3 NEWS News in brief New look for Where family comes first www.bawp.org THE BAWP website has had a refresh making he Metropolitan Police Service has Staffordshire Police Trent Valley Division their it easier to navigate and use thanks to an proved it is a family friendly recognition. The introduction of a self improved search facility. Temployer. monitoring system to record the number of The force was recognised for its work hours staff put in has been credited with a supporting staff by the charity ‘Working reduction in sickness levels on the division. Families’ in their annual employer awards. The system, which also enables managers The Employer of the Year 2006 trophy and to keep tabs on the hours their staff work, the Family Friendly Award both went to the was designed in consultation with staff.