Page 28 - WMPF Federation June-July2018-flip_Neat

Women standing shoulder to shoulder

abour MP for Halifax Holly Lynch was Bedfordshire Police Inspector Annita
one of three speakers to talk about Clarke, another of the guest speakers,
L their careers in the ‘Women standing described her unconventional way of picking
shoulder to shoulder’ break-out session on which force to join, her career path and the
the opening day of conference. effect having children had on that.
Holly, who first championed the She also mentioned her work with the
Federation’s Protect the Protectors campaign British Association for Women in Policing
on assaults after seeing for herself the (BAWP) and the International Association of
dangers faced by officers when she joined a Women Police (IAWP) and in coaching
West Yorkshire officer on patrol, told colleagues.
delegates she had just six weeks from being The third speaker was Emma
nominated as an election candidate to Hawksworth from Slater and Gordon who
starting her new role as an MP. She also has regularly given legal updates to
touched on the emotional toll of liaising with conference but talked about the way in
the local community and party supporters which she had supported women members
following the murder of Jo Cox, the MP for of the Federation and how things had
Holly Lynch, Halifax MP. Spen in June 2016. progressed.
PC receives award for her

work with city’s sex workers

The winner of this year’s national Women in
Policing Award told conference “it doesn’t
feel right that I’m singled out” and paid
tribute to her colleagues.
Avon and Somerset PC Tina Newman
received the award for her work with sex
workers in the Bristol area and, in particular,
re-defining the way they are policed.
The attitudes of both the police and the
local community were very different 20 years
ago; the women sex workers had no
confidence in the police and, despite being
extremely vulnerable, were misunderstood
and misinterpreted.
Tina worked hard to engage with local
community groups and in doing so built
relationships and trust. She became a role
model for other police officers and staff and,
prior to the introduction of Independent
Sexual Violence Advisers, helped women
navigate the rape conviction process, from
the initial report through to court
appearances, to secure convictions against
dangerous offenders.
She has participated in regional and Sam Roberts, regional Federation rep, Holly Lynch MP and Tina Newman with the Women in
national consultations and initiatives, one of Policing Award.
which was working on the Home Office in the street sex industry through addiction The support she offered to these women,
consultation on the legislation used to and has built up a trust with these women both in her own and work time, was helping
manage prostitution. by identifying potential violent offenders to to make a positive difference to their lives.
As well as organising two operations them, encouraging them to report attacks Tina said: “It’s a real privilege to win this
which have tackled both on-street and and explaining what special measures are Women in Policing Award 2018 but it
off-street sex work, Tina has also been available to them. She has been pivotal in doesn’t seem right that I should be singled
instrumental in a regular inter-agency securing convictions against dangerous out. I am proud that in Avon and Somerset
perpetrator programme which has had a 93 offenders and she supports local groups we have a true partnership approach to how
per cent success rate. tackling sex work and modern slavery by we police our streets.”
Holly Lynch, MP for Halifax, presented the fund-raising, co-ordinating donations and She praised the work of the One25
award and said: “Tina has worked for the last attending meetings. charity which also supports these women
17 years as a sex worker liaison officer for her “Her reputation as the Force lead in this and acknowledged the support she had
force and it is for this work that she is being rarely spoken about area is described as from her sergeant, Emma Slade, praising her
recognised. Tina works with women trapped second to none.” for her infectious passion and enthusiasm.
28 federation June/July 2018 www.westmidspolfed.com