Meet the team
What was your role prior to joining Wiltshire Police and what made you join us?
I’m currently working within the DFU team as part of the South West forensics collaboration as a contractor for Devon & Cornwall police force, however I’m based at Wiltshire HQ working on Wiltshire cases where I’m responsible for all outsourcing related correspondences regarding the incomings & outgoings of seized evidential exhibits sent off to Digital Forensics company Sytech for examination.
I have several years of administration & customer service experience particularly within the Criminal Justice world where I’ve worked for the National Probation Service within the community payback team.
My previous job prior to joining the Police was working as a Recovery Coordinator for a well-known charity recovery service company within substance misuse based in Swindon.
However, the lure of having the opportunity to work for the police was too good to refuse & I made the decision to join the DFU team & I’m enjoying the experience of working for the police!
How does your role contribute to our mission of Keeping Wiltshire Safe?
My contribution to keeping Wiltshire safe is by upholding the values & core principles expected of myself within the DFU & the organisation overall, making sure that my work is accurate & respecting the confidential data I come across daily from the general public & making sure that I have a friendly and professional attitude within the workplace.
What was your role prior to joining Wiltshire Police and what made you join us?
Before joining Wiltshire Police I worked in the media, mostly in kids tv, with 14 years working for Disney and several more after that working on the Syfy Channel at NBCUniversal.
After leaving the media (at some point you've got to admit that commuting over 5 hours per day, 5 days a week isn't good for you!) I wanted to move into a career where I felt I was making a difference. No other organisation offers that feeling more than the police force!
Do you have a standout moment in your career with Wiltshire Police?
I think relaunching our Peer Support Network stands out for me. Working with a dedicated group of peers who want to
use their combined work and life experiences to benefit and support their fellow officers and staff has been inspirational.
How does your role contribute to our mission of Keeping Wiltshire Safe?
The wellbeing services we offer benefits everyone who works for the organisation, from officers to staff. Our Wellness SharePoint site contains so much useful information and support for everyone in both their physical and mental health. By providing this information, as well as looking for more ways to support the force, we are ensuring that everyone has access to the support they need to give their all to their role.
What challenges have you faced in your role and how have you overcome them?
We are a small team so sometimes getting our message out to all members of staff can be tricky. We continue to work closely with Comms to push our wellness offering and regularly speak with the Chief Officer Group to ensure they can support our projects and pass the information on to their teams.
Anything you would like to share to inspire future police staff colleagues?
Wiltshire Police provide so many ways to support your wellbeing both from within the organisation as well as with our partners such as Oscar Kilo, Health Assured, Police Mutual and Police Care UK. We understand that this can be testing environment to work in but support is always available in so many ways so if you feel we can help please get in touch.
What was your role prior to joining Wiltshire Police and what made you join us?
Lead Chaplain in NHS Hospital and Parish Priest. I moved from Essex to Devizes in June 2022, saw the advert for the post quite by chance. Aware of the poor public perception of policing after several notorious incidents, nationally, I was keen to come alongside officers and staff to support, boost moral, to celebrate their achievements and honour their dedication to public service.
Do you have a standout moment in your career with Wiltshire Police?
I feel I have not yet truly 'made my mark', nevertheless, organising a successful Remembrance Service and Carol Service, in collaboration with a number of colleagues, has given me some professional satisfaction. I was privileged to attend the wonderful VAWG Conference at Tidworth in December, which was organised by (the much missed) Gemma Vinton. That was a truly 'stand-out' day for me, in terms of what I learned about the terrible range of abuses perpetrated against women and girls.
How does your role contribute to our mission of Keeping Wiltshire Safe?
My team and I aim to keep our colleagues safe. They in turn, will keep Wiltshire safe. We care for the carers. We mop up tears, share burdens, laugh at jokes, advocate when necessary and generally try to convey that our
colleagues are cherished, valued and loved. We are Chaplains to the whole force, including the Chief Constable, the PCC and everyone connected to the WP family.
What challenges have you faced in your role and how have you overcome them?
My hugest challenge is lack of time. I work two days each week, but, inevitably, situations arise outside my two days, which means that I'm often unable to respond as quickly as I would like to. Additionally, I am trying to build a team which reflects our aim to be a Chaplaincy Service 'for people of all faiths and no faith'. We are nowhere near to fulfilling that aim, which frustrates me a little, however, with help from other colleagues in the service, I am sure we will get there in the end. Sometimes the Wiltshire Police 'cogs' grind a little too slowly, but I am learning to be patient with the processes.
Anything you would like to share to inspire future police staff colleagues?
I have met so many intelligent, dedicated and committed colleagues in my short time with WP. With our combined talents and dedication, I am convinced we will get out of Engage, inspired by our talented leadership teams. We are a police service that the people of Wiltshire can be be proud of. Let's never forget that, behind every officer in uniform working at the sharp end of keeping the public safe, is a whole army of police staff. Whilst they do not face the same challenges as uniformed officers, they are nonetheless just as dedicated and often courageous in the service of their colleagues and, through them, in the service of the public. I love working for WP and I'm reminded of this (long) quote from Steve Jobs:
Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.
What was your role prior to joining Wiltshire Police and what made you join us?
Theatre Management. Career change due to covid and wanting to carry out a job where I would be giving back and helping others. I started my career at WP in the CCC as a contact centre operator.
Do you have a standout moment in your career with Wiltshire Police?
A telephone call I took whilst working in the Crime and Communications Centre, where a distressed female told me she had a knife and was going to kill her husband. I was able to get her husband to safety, and keep the caller calm until officers could get to her. Officers were then able to give her the help she needed and her husband was safeguarded from harm.
How does your role contribute to our mission of Keeping Wiltshire Safe?
Safeguarding is at the heart of whatever I do and is the key consideration for all victims I am involved with.
What challenges have you faced in your role and how have you overcome them?
Resource can be an issue, so much work and not enough people on the ground to do this. It comes down to planning and prioritising and voicing to the wider team and Supervisor when things get a bit much and help is needed.
Anything you would like to share to inspire future police staff colleagues?
It's tough, people don't really contact the police for a good reason, some days will be really heavy and you feel as if you are carrying someone's future and safety in your hands. You are never alone, work with your team, they will support you, help you and guide you and the personal reward you get by knowing you have helped someone and made a difference makes it all worth while.
What was your role prior to joining Wiltshire Police and what made you join us?
Head of Talent Acquisition at The AA.
Having worked in the public sector once before (DE&S, an executive agency of MoD), I was drawn to go back; working for an organisation that exists to help people and make a difference really appeals to me. Adding value to an organisation like ours means so much more to me than driving profit margins and revenue streams. Where I work and what I do matters to me, it's a pleasure to be here!
Do you have a standout moment in your career with Wiltshire Police?
Not just yet - but ask me in 12 months and I hope I will have some :)
How does your role contribute to our mission of Keeping Wiltshire Safe?
Fulfilling requirements with best in class, diverse talent is key to our mission. Raising our profile as an employer of choice will help to rebuild public confidence in our communities, and show that we are listening, and are here to serve and protect. Understanding the skills we need, where and when is fundamental to our success as an organisation.
What challenges have you faced in your role and how have you overcome them?
Understanding the police language - the acronym buster has come in very handy!
Anything you would like to share to inspire future police staff colleagues?
This is my fourth Talent Acquisition change programme and whilst it is different because it's in the world of police, all the challenges and tricky bits are the same.
The first phase is always embedding the brilliant basics, which does take a little time. But once we've got the foundations in the sky really will be the limit :)
What was your role prior to joining Wiltshire Police and what made you join us?
Listing Officer at Swindon County Court - for Public and Private Law.
Do you have a standout moment in your career with Wiltshire Police?
There have been many, when I was very new I helped deliver Uplift figures for Officers with 3 (one after the other) intakes.
September I was successful in becoming the Recruitment Lead - under a year within the Force I never envisioned the self and professional development I have achieved.
Attending my first Career fair and running Mandatory Awareness Events have been stand out moments, meeting and speaking to potential recruits.
Taking part in the scenario based training with our new IPLDP cohort has been a big stand out for me. Having the opportunity to help deliver training after spending lots of time recruiting these individuals, has been great.
How does your role contribute to our mission of Keeping Wiltshire Safe?
Recruiting new Police Officers, ultimately the future of Wiltshire Police. Internal Police Officer Recruitment and Transferees, and Special Constable Recruitment I am heavily involved in. These Officers will contribute to keeping Wiltshire Safe.
Promoting, leading by example and ensuring that those who show an interest in Wiltshire Police understand that Wiltshire are a welcoming Force that are dedicated to delivering public service and to keeping Wiltshire safe.
What challenges have you faced in your role and how have you overcome them?
Since joining the team, I have come to the realisation that the staff turn around is evolving. Often the team is short staffed, but the need for recruiting does not slow. The processes are long and in depth, and the deadlines strict.
In regards to Police Officer Recruitment- often under the spotlight, the forecast of numbers is changeable and I think there was often a lack of understanding in regards to why or how this number changes so frequently. Communicating effectively across the business, holding weekly touchpoint meetings, creating a shared space so that this can be viewed has helped bridge that gap of understanding.
There is still lots to be done in terms of improvement, with the new structure of our team I feel positive that recruitment now has the scope, support and skillset to help deliver what I myself feel very passionately about. Getting things right, delivering, and challenging the way in which we work to make improvement for us as a Force and for those joining our Force.
Anything you would like to share to inspire future police staff colleagues?
Wiltshire Police is a fantastic place to work, committed to delivering a sound public service. Everyone is friendly and welcoming and you very much feel part of a family working here.
There is so much to learn, so much opportunity - I would encourage anyone thinking about joining to take the leap!
What was your role prior to joining Wiltshire Police and what made you join us?
I finished uni in 1996 had done various short-term roles in cafes, factories etc until I got my first office job in 1997; I worked as a Marketing Assistant for a civil engineering firm. I was looking for a job closer to home and spotted the opportunity at Wiltshire Police and thought it sounded interesting. I had no ICT qualifications - I hadn't even seen a computer until I started university! - but they obviously saw something in me and the rest is history as they say.
Do you have a standout moment in your career with Wiltshire Police?
I think there are many moments over my 25 year career that I think when asked that. In no particular order I was proud to win the Chief Constable's award for teamwork with my Fleet colleagues. I am proud of the larger projects I have implemented or help implement over the years such as the original MFD roll-out, the development of a self-service tool for other teams in the corporate services directorate such as Facilities.
I also great satisfaction from coaching having taken my qualification a couple of years ago.
How does your role contribute to our mission of Keeping Wiltshire Safe?
I work in one of the enabling services and in my role specifically I support the other enabling services and ICT support and provide the resources for our operational colleagues; service is at the heart of what we do
What challenges have you faced in your role and how have you overcome them?
I was diagnosed with dyspraxia in my 30s which was a real light-bulb moment - oh that's why some things are such a struggle for me. The organisation has always been really supportive of me; the EDI team and various colleagues.
I have had my struggles with mental health in the past and had support from OHU and my colleagues and my line manager at the time. I also have my struggles with confidence (probably linked to the other two issues) and the real turning point for me with that one was a Women in Leadership programme I was part of run by the TUC.
Anything you would like to share to inspire future police staff colleagues?
Never assume you can't do something