When a Mother and Daughter Choose the Same Uniform

This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating Helen and Molly, a Superintendent mum and Roads Policing daughter whose careers may look very different, but whose bond has only strengthened through their shared life in policing. Their paths into the job were separate yet deeply connected, shaped by admiration, shared values, and the powerful mix of pride and worry that only a policing parent truly understands. In this blog, we spoke to Superintendent Helen and PC Molly about what it means to serve the same communities from two very different corners of policing.

As a Superintendent and a mum, how did it feel watching your daughter choose policing and find her place in Roads Policing?

Helen: When Molly first told me she had applied to join TVP, I was absolutely horrified! I think that is why she submitted her application before discussing it with me. Although I absolutely love my job, it is not without its challenges, and I knew it would be a huge adjustment for both of us. Whilst I knew Molly would be brilliant, I also knew some of the dangers she would face, and I knew the reality of what lay ahead for her. It definitely led to a few sleepless nights worrying about her.

How did your mum’s policing career influence the kind of officer you wanted to become?

Molly: Growing up with a mum in policing definitely shaped the kind of officer (and person) I wanted to become. I have witnessed the dedication she has to the job, and it gave me a real understanding of the responsibility that comes with the role. Watching the way she has built her career and the standards she holds herself to has always motivated me to work hard and be the best officer I can be. I’m really proud to follow in her footsteps.

Was there a moment since you both joined policing when you thought, “I’m really proud of you”?

Helen: I am so proud of Molly and all she has achieved in her career so far. She has worked incredibly hard to secure a role on our Roads Policing Unit, and I’m really proud that her determination, hard work and effort have paid off.

Molly: One of the moments that really made me feel proud was seeing Mum progress through the ranks. Growing up, I’ve seen how dedicated she is to policing and how much the job means to her, but being in the job myself now, I have a much deeper appreciation for the commitment, resilience and strong leadership it takes to reach that level. Experiencing first-hand the way she leads and the respect she has within the force makes me incredibly proud. It’s also really special to be able to share the same career and understand the challenges and rewards that come with it.

How do your conversations about work usually go – are they more mum‑and‑daughter chats or policing‑brain chats?

Helen: Our catch-ups usually involve some moaning and always involve wine! When Molly was on ICR, I found it really beneficial to get an honest view of what policing was like for our front-line officers. It really helped me to understand how my leadership and decisions affected those that matter most, those doing the real work on the front line. I think it made me appreciate my role even more. And anyone who knows Molly will know she doesn’t hold back if she has something to say! I’ve no idea where she gets that from.

What’s something you understand better about each other now that you’re both in the job?

Helen: It certainly has made me appreciate the impact our job has on our loved ones and how to balance life off-duty. I now understand why my own Mam worried so much…. and I didn’t tell her half of what I did.

Do you ever see parts of each other’s personality showing up in the way you work – even if you don’t admit it?

Helen: Molly is like me in many ways, although she may not want to admit that! She certainly gets her stubbornness and drive from me. She reminds me of my younger self, but braver, bolder and more beautiful

Do you share advice about staying calm under pressure – who takes whose advice?

Our relationship has certainly changed, and although we will always be mother-daughter first, we are now great friends too. We do offer each other advice about work and non-work matters, whether we take that advice is another matter!!!

Have you had any funny moments where your roles unexpectedly crossed paths?

Helen: Despite having to work on the same LCU for a short time, I was very careful to make sure our paths didn’t cross. Luckily, Molly never came to my attention for the wrong reasons! There was one occasion whilst we were both working in Custody where a detained person shouted over to us stating “you two look like sisters” and receiving emails to Ma’am and not Mum is always a bit strange.

What does it mean to you both to be serving the same communities in such different parts of policing this Mother’s Day?

Helen: I couldn’t be happier to serve alongside Molly. She is brave, kind, fierce, determined and works very hard. I couldn’t be prouder of the woman she has become, although she’ll always be my little girl.

Molly: There are so many opportunities in the police to serve our communities in different ways, but at the heart of it, my mum and I are both working towards the same goal of keeping people safe and supporting the public. For me, it makes it even more meaningful knowing that it’s something we share as mother and daughter. This Mother’s Day is a reminder of how proud I am of everything Mum has achieved in her career, and how lucky I am to follow in her footsteps while building my own path within the job.

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This Mother’s Day, let’s celebrate the love, strength, and support of all the mums who make a difference at home and in uniform. At TVP, we are always looking for people to be the difference they want to see in their communities.

To find out more about a policing career with TVP, please visit our TVP Careers Website