Thames Valley Police hosts SERFCA Networking Evening to Champion Reservists and Veterans
On Monday 24 November, Thames Valley Police (TVP) proudly hosted the latest networking evening for the South-East Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (SERFCA) at our Sulhamstead Training Centre. The event brought together over forty employers united by a shared commitment: supporting those who serve as reservists, military veterans, and their families.
SERFCA plays a vital role in supporting Reserve Forces and Cadets from the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and Sussex. Its mission is to strengthen the link between Defence and society, ensuring reservists and cadets receive the recognition and support they deserve.
TVP values the unique skills and perspectives that serving personnel, reservists, and veterans bring to policing. By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, we have pledged to provide flexibility and support for those balancing military, policing and civilian careers. This commitment is reflected in our achievement of the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award – the highest honour for organisations championing the Armed Forces community.
Chief Constable Jason Hogg said: “I’m incredibly proud to welcome so many like-minded employers who are committed to supporting those who serve as reservists. It’s absolutely the right thing to do. Every time one of our reservists completes an attachment, they return even more loyal, skilled, and dedicated to policing.”
Currently, TVP employs 39 reservists, with capacity for up to 91. Our cadre spans all three services – Army, Navy, and RAF – and includes 31 police officers from PC to Chief Officer, alongside eight police staff.
The evening also saw BAM Engineering Ltd, Duffy Logistics Ltd, Kim Driver Training Ltd, and Qualitas Healthcare reaffirm their Armed Forces Covenant commitments. Keynote addresses were delivered by Lt Col Victoria Eaton, who leads Employer Engagement at SERFCA, and Sqn Ldr John Burgess of RAF 606 RAuxAF. PC Lewis Harratt, a Roads Policing Officer and Reservist Major in the Royal Military Police, shared his powerful personal experience of balancing both roles, highlighting the critical skills reservists bring to any organisation – from leadership and strategic thinking to negotiation and resilience.
Lewis said “It is vital to reservists that they have the support of both their families and employers in order to successfully dedicate their time and effort to the military reserves. I am lucky – TVP have been the most supportive employer in terms of my reservist commitments.”
Guests also enjoyed a presentation from The Curtis Palmer Programme, a display by our Dog Unit, and a tour of the Thames Valley Police Museum.
Group Captain Keith Lane RAF (Retd), Chief of Staff & Head of Engagement, South-East Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association expressed during his closing address “The Strategic Defence Review highlighted the importance to the nation of strong Reserve Forces, the social benefit of vibrant Cadet Forces and of the overall requirement for Defence to be more closely linked with society.
This evening’s event organised and hosted by Thames Valley Police, underlines the fantastic support that TVP is providing to Reserves, Cadets and wider society. We are thrilled that the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner are here to offer their personal support and we at SERFCA continue to be thankful for TVP’s continuous contributions. TVP stand proud as a Gold member of the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and we look forward to many more occasions of outstanding advocacy.”
Inspector Andy Fiddler, TVP Military Lead, concluded “TVP has come a long way in strengthening our military partnerships in recent years, and SERFCA is one of the most important. We thank SERFCA for their continued support and for joining us at our Training Centre this evening.”
If you’re a serving, or former member of the armed forces and are considering a move into policing, please visit our Military Resettlement webpage for more information.
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