PW_3_2025

Professional Development

In the classroom

As a British Indian, it was important for me to showcase my Punjabi heritage alongside my representation of British policing. My most powerful memory of the day was when one of the delegates told me that the pride I have in my Indian heritage, makes her want to celebrate her heritage too. One unforgettable moment was dancing to Bhangra music in a castle in Gimborn, surrounded by women and male allies from 25 different countries, all eager to learn new dance moves. It was a surreal and joyous celebration of diversity; a memory that I will forever cherish. A Journey of Empowerment The seminar highlighted the importance of empowerment, representation and resilience for women in policing. All candidates were provided with excellent tools to lead and support their own forces. I am appreciative of the connections that I have made I am grateful for the opportunity provided to me by the IPA I am thankful to my force for allowing me to attend the seminar I am in awe of every single female at the seminar and I am excited to continue my journey in policing. As I reflect on those transformative days, I feel grateful for the connections made, the lessons learned, and the opportunities provided by the IPA. My journey in policing continues, with newfound inspiration and a commitment to inclusivity at the heart of everything I do.

struggles with directing conversations, this advice was brilliant. Hannah also spoke about naming one’s imposter, a strategy I have since adopted. Having always struggled with imposter syndrome, this advice was invaluable. Giving my imposter a name—and telling it to get back in its box—has been a transformative approach for me. Ruth Busby, a champion for diversity in Great Western Rail, also stood out. She spoke about breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, sharing insights into how her leadership has positively impacted the workforce. Hearing about the changes she has implemented was particularly meaningful to me. My late father spent most of his career in the rail industry and often spoke about the challenges he faced as a minority worker. Seeing how far the industry has come filled me with hope. Since the seminar, Ruth has connected me to a female who runs the diversity network in GWR and we are looking at how we can learn from each other to help our own respective networks. Another thought-provoking session came from Kirsten De Jong, who discussed AI and the Future of Policing. The role of technology in law enforcement is a topic of both excitement and concern, and her insights into algorithmic bias and facial recognition resonated deeply with me. I have concerns about the disparities in AI recognition, and this will be something that I would want to explore in my Force. Kirsten expressed interest in Thames Valley Police’s ongoing work in this area, and she plans to visit the UK to explore potential collaborations. I recently attended a policing conference in London where I spoke to a female working on the Pronto project in Motorola. I am in the process of connecting her with Kirsten to see how some of the technology we have in the UK can be taken into Dutch Police.

Rupi and KD

Liam Busby is a real advocate for Thames Valley Police and for HeForShe. He spoke passionately about promises made by UK policing to support this movement. It was uplifting to see that his work was appreciated by women in policing from across the world. I felt a real sense of pride that Liam worked in the same Force that I did. We have even connected since to see how HeforShe can work specifically for Women of Colour in TVP. Another notable speaker was Chief Officer Dr José Rooijers, who shared her experiences leading major investigations, including the Enschede Fireworks Disaster. It is always fascinating to listen to the journey of a senior officer in policing. She spoke candidly about vulnerability in leadership, recounting how she became emotional after receiving news about a missing family being found while escorting the Queen at the disaster site. This moment, captured by the media, demonstrated the importance of acknowledging emotions in policing. Her words were a powerful reminder that officers are human and that taking care of oneself is just as vital as taking care of others.

Rupi and Aneta

Cultural Exchange and Lifelong Memories

Beyond the formal sessions, the cultural evenings were an enriching experience. Delegates brought food and items representing their heritage, fostering meaningful conversations about identity.

POLICE WORLD Vol 70 No.3, 2025

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