Category: Women in Policing

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Meet Laura, Digital Forensic Investigator

Laura achieved a 1st in BSc Forensic Computing and spent three years in the private sector before moving into policing with the National Crime Agency (NCA) in 2021.  In July 2022 she joined the Forensics team at TVP. “I enjoy my work in Digital Forensics because it provides a challenge while allowing me to give …

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Meet Hannah Elliot, Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)

Role: Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Length of service: 1.5 years What attracted to you policing, specifically as a PCSO? I wanted to work in policing, and becoming a PCSO is a great way to do this! I knew I wouldn’t enjoy an office based job as I get bored quite quickly, so the fact …

Realising her potential – Police Constable Natalie Barette, Joint Operations Unit (JOU) Tactical Firearms Group

As an Operational Firearms Commander and Firearms Instructor, Natalie has had a fascinating 15 years across various departments. From Public Order training, Taser training and Initial Pursuit Driver training, through to attachments to the Prison Handling Team, we recently caught up with Nat about how she is realising her potential at Thames Valley Police (TVP). …

PCSO Sarah Churchward proves it’s never too late to change careers

Role: Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Age: 44 Length of service: 1 Year After spending 24 years at British Airways, Sarah proved that it’s never too late to change careers after joining TVP as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) at 44 years old. We recently caught up with Sarah about her previous career, the …

Realising her potential – Police Sergeant Natasha Gidda, Prisoner Handling Unit

Years in service: 13 years We’ve recently spoken with Police Sergeant Natasha Gidda in our Prisoner Handling Unit about about how she is realising her potential at Thames Valley Police. Is this the path you always expected to take in your career? It isn’t exactly what I thought I might do, but it’s turned out …

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Realising her potential – Police Sergeant Emma Dainty, Dog Handler

As the first ever female Sergeant for the JOU (Joint Operations Unit) Dog Support Unit, Emma has been at TVP for nearly 20 years and had long held ambitions of becoming a Police Dog Handler. We recently had a chat with Emma about her career. Length of service: 20 years (in November) Age of joining: …

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Making my difference – a conversation with Special Constable Alex Birkenshaw

Special Constable Alex Birkenshaw, 25, has been working as a Special Constable for one year, alongside being an Assistant Buyer at Asos. We caught up with Alex to find out more about her journey. Your day job and being a Special are quite different! Was there anything in particular that inspired you to join policing? …

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Making my difference – a conversation with Special Constable Gemma Norville

Special Constable Gemma Norville has been volunteering in policing for over five years. Gemma always wanted to join policing but had developed a career, and being a Special allowed her to do both. Gemma, what encouraged you to join as a Special? In my day job, I work as the Head of Technical & Operations …

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TVP Muslim Police Officers celebrating Ramadan

Like many of our community members, many TVP colleagues are celebrating Ramadan this month. We recently spoke with PC Misbah Ali and PC Shaharyar (Shah) Khan to learn more about how they are managing Ramadan alongside their policing careers. What does the month of Ramadan mean to you? Misbah: The Holy month of Ramadan means …