We’re proud to be the Guardians of the Railway, focused on the safety of the public. We are one of the world's oldest police forces. We were one of the first to recruit female officers, the first to use technology to assist in solving crimes and the first to use police dogs. Empower Magazine celebrates our outstanding people and their journeys.
IN PURSUIT OF EQUITY #EmbraceEquity empower SPECIAL EDITION CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
MY VOICE CAN HELP TO PROPEL WOMEN FORWARD
SPEAK UP INTERRUPT KNOW HOW TO BE AN ACTIVE BYSTANDER
STRONG WOMEN: MAY WE KNOW THEM, MAY WE BE THEM, MAY WE RAISE THEM
06 CONT 12 14 my voice can help to propel women forward I just wanted to do something nobody expected me to do I AM A GUARDIAN OF THE RAILWAY
14 Policing makes me feel a sense of purpose and public service.
“The evidence and data tells us that women earn less, are underrepresented in senior and influential roles, struggle to be valued in the workplace and are less likely to achieve their professional aspirations. International Women’s Day is a way to recognise the disparity, drive our efforts for improvement, showcase the excellent women in policing and work together to see parity, fairness and equity for all.” Karen Wiesenekker Head of Strategic Inclusion and Diversity
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I joinED the police to PROTECT THE vulnerable
WE TAKE PRIDE IN OUR WORK
EVERYONE deserves A SAFE JOURNEY
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TENTS tt Ellie Bird PC Bobby Kovacs Lucy D’Orsi
08 FEMALE FIRSTS
17 The app THAT makeS it easier to
Maggie Lyall
The Sex Discrimination Act comes into force. Women start to become integrated into all departments of the Force and receive the same status, responsibilities and salary as men.
Vera Lee
Maggie Lyall, based in Scotland, is the first female dog handler for the Force. greats who changed the course of history, boundaries and defied societal expectations. British This International Women’s Day, we’re honouring the female Transport Police helped to set the precedent for women who blazed a trail for others to follow.
report sexual harassment on public transport
Amelia Styring
Lucy D’Orsi Chief Constable British Transport Police
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Today is International Women’s Day
A day to celebrate the incredible achievements of women. To reflect on the past and to thank those trailblazing women who made it possible for people like myself to have the privilege of leading the police service. I know when I joined policing in 1992 and looked up, I didn’t see many women in senior positions. I’m incredibly proud of those who forged a path for myself and others to follow. Today also gives us a chance to celebrate the many amazing women who work in policing. I’m incredibly privileged to work for BTP and to work alongside many hardworking, intelligent, brilliant women every single day. You’ll read about many of them in this magazine.
And today is also a day for inspiring the future generations of police officers and staff. I can say without doubt that I love my job and think policing is a fantastic career choice. That’s not to say that it isn’t hard at times – like many others, I often find the work- life balance tricky. But to be able to make a real difference to people’s lives and to change things for the better makes for such a rewarding career and I know my family and friends are proud of what I do even when it means I can’t be around sometimes. We know we still have work to do. The trust and confidence in policing, particularly amongst women, has been rocked by a series of high profile stomach churning
cases concerning the abuse of power. I feel as angry about these cases as anybody else and so do my colleagues. We have more work to do around our gender pay gap and our ability to recruit and retain female officers. What I can say is that we are working tirelessly to regain that trust and to make important changes to remove the barriers to female officers joining and thriving with us at BTP. I love British Transport Police. It’s a place with a real family feel that genuinely cares about people – both those who work for us and the communities we police. It’s brought to life by thousands of incredible individuals who come to work every day to help people and make a difference. I wish you all a very happy International Women’s Day.
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By working together with our allies, we can create
a sense of belonging whilst improving our force for the officers and staff of tomorrow.
my voice can help to propel women forward C oming from the South Wales Valleys I think community is always at the forefront of your mind. You’re raised to be
all spent time together. It’s those community and togetherness moments in life now that I enjoy the most. Going back home, catching up with my friends, seeing my family – visiting Tenby and making memories there if I’ve got the time. Of course, I have my work community too, working with my team and taking those lessons from work back into my life outside of policing. I consider myself very privileged to be where I am in life and in my career. I am thankful I’m in a position where
my voice can help to propel women forward, but also, I’m in a space where my gender doesn’t come
into everything, allowing me to just focus on doing the right thing, rather than ‘I’m a woman doing the right thing.’ I’m grateful
considerate and care for others, you all know each other and so do your families going back generations. In school I was always looking out for those who weren’t treated fairly, of course there were the miners’ strikes too which brought us all closer. Even in less serious situations I was always the leader in my friendship group, getting things organised and making sure we
I get to continue creating a safer,
better community in my career, and know once I finish here I can continue making a difference at home.
Sandra England | Chief SuperINTendent
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FEMALE FIRSTS
WPC Barrett
Sergeant Margaret Hood
Vera Lee
Ada Baker
Elsie Rogers
Amelia Styring
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Lucy D’Orsi
Ellie Bird
PC Bobby Kovacs
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Maggie Lyall
The Sex Discrimination Act comes into force. Women start to become integrated into all departments of the Force and receive the same status, responsibilities and salary as men.
Maggie Lyall, based in Scotland, is the first female dog handler for the Force.
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I just wanted to do something nobody expected me to do
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I f you had told 12-year-old Maya she’d be working for the police she would be completely shocked. At that age I was always getting into trouble and I felt really misunderstood. School really wasn’t my thing and I’d say I
Thankfully around year 10 something clicked and I got myself together. I did the typical GCSEs, college, university route like I was ‘supposed to’, but I knew it wasn’t for me. My parents saw I’d given it a go and I eventually wore them down to the fact I might not be a solicitor/dentist/doctor and they’re really supportive of where I am now. I just wanted to do something nobody expected me to do. It’s quite nice to prove people wrong though and I think it’s that element of proving them, and
myself, wrong that has been quite a strong motivator for me. I do have to ignore both my internal critic and external expectations that try to keep me in a box, but I’m getting better at just focusing on my own journey and my own achievements. I think being who I was as a kid gives me a slight advantage now too; I can relate to that perspective and empathise with young people in the same boat. I hope the next version of a 12-year-old me can see what is achievable, despite the box you and others put you in.
was a class clown. I would be kicked out of classes, I didn’t stick at things well and there were teachers who didn’t think I would
achieve my GCSEs. If I’d got my way at that age I would have been a professional footballer.
MAYA LIMBANI | SERGEANT
Policing makes me feel a sense of purposE
P olicing makes me feel a sense of purpose and public service – it is my adult life’s work. Having served on average five years in each rank – I am mature enough now to appreciate it all. My career gives me personal and professional growth, I do believe it’s a job like no other. BTP is full of brilliant people and no
matter what policing throws our way we are stronger for it.
I joined in 1992 and now serve as a Midlands Sub Divisional Superintendent. I have enjoyed
a varied career and my skillset includes Police Recruit Trainer Detective and Gold and Silver Commander.
SUE PETERS | SUPERINTENDENT
LORNA MCEWAN | SUPERINTENDENT in my role as a leader – it can be challenging but also extremely rewarding. Policing exposes you to the best and worst things happening and you can really make a difference to people when they need us. I enrolled in 1997 and now I’m proud to say I am a Superintendent. F or me being in policing is the opportunity to work towards making the rail network safer for everyone who is on it. It provides me the chance to learn new skills and develop
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B efore joining policing, I had no idea of the different roles that were available. I joined BTP as I wanted to be part of an organisation that made a difference and really cared about what they do and the people that work there. Being in a large force also gives opportunities to explore other career options which was a
big attraction. Policing to me means being the people that care, who do the right thing and protect people.
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I wanted to join the police service to help those who are most vulnerable. I have grown up with domestic abuse and have always wanted to work with the police, following this experience. I graduated with a Criminology and Law degree and now I currently work within the Vulnerability Unit in Public Protection, to ensure safeguarding provisions are put in place for those who are most at risk. LISHA KAUR | VULNERABILITY CORDINATOR FOR PUBLIC PROTECTION
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Download Railway Guardian Safest Together
The app THAT makeS it easier to report sexual harassment on THE RAIL NETWORK
Your presence alone could be your biggest superpower […] Simple, non-confrontational actions can make a huge difference.
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At one point or another, most women and femme-presenting people have experienced sexual harassment on public transport. Data from British Transport Police [BTP] indicates a sharp increase in reports of sexual harassment and sexual offences reported in 2021, compared with pre-pandemic figures. As part of the BTP’s campaign to make the railway a “hostile environment for sexual harassment,” you can now report
sexual harassment using a new app, Railway Guardian.
According to Detective Inspector Nia Mellor from BTP, the app has been a long time coming, having been in the works for around 14 months and made possible by funding from the Home Office. Nia described the app as a “one- stop shop” for all the available resources for reporting sexual harassment on public transport, as well as guidance for bystanders if they witness it happening.
It’s part of BTP’s “Speak Up, Interrupt” campaign, which aims to “empower bystanders and witnesses of all forms of inappropriate sexual behaviour on the network to report incidents or safely intervene where they can.” But how does the app actually work? And can it do enough to protect those who experience sexual harassment on public transport?
She explained, “Everything that we do is trying to shift that responsibility away from women from having to modify their behaviour or take actions to keep themselves safe. That’s why we’ve moved the focus from victims to bystanders. “We want everybody to have the confidence and the tools to stand up and support people who may be experiencing sexual harassment; as well as being able to speak up and challenge it without putting themselves at risk.” In a society where victim-blaming is all too common, BTP’s decision to focus on bystanders as well as providing reporting mechanisms for victims is a welcome change.
Nia explained: “We understand that men, in particular, have been a bit reluctant to step in when they witness sexual harassment because a) they’re not necessarily aware of the behaviours that constitute sexual harassment and b) they have concerns about putting themselves at risk of aggression. “By giving them some really simple tools, what we’re saying to all people travelling on the rail network is that your presence alone could be your biggest superpower. We’re not asking you to take any heroic steps, but if you see something where another person is being made to feel uncomfortable or if you experience it yourself, there are things that you
can do – which could be as simple as standing between the perpetrator and the victim. Simple, non- confrontational actions can make a huge difference. The app has 27,000 users so far and has received an overwhelmingly positive response, judging from the user feedback.
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I find great pride in being able to help make the world a less lonely
and more tolerant space I THINK IF I’D HAVE DONE WHAT SOCIETY WANTED ME TO DO WHEN I WAS YOUNGER - SETTLED DOWN, MARRIED, 2.5
KIDS, QUIET JOB ETC - I’D BE VERY UNHAPPY TODAY. Diane McCarth Diane McCarthy | INCLUSION & DIVESITY LEARNING LEAD
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W hen I was just three years old, I wanted to go to the beach (for the second day in a row) and was sadly told I couldn’t by
out of work. The feeling of being supported by others is extremely valuable and is something I’m proud I can help to provide. I think people are surprised to find that – as outspoken as I am – I treasure my quiet time just as much. I use this time to crochet yet another unique baby blanket for my friends and family’s new arrival(s) or to care for my foster cat(s). My latest foster, who is currently very pregnant, is probably the only one I’ll allow to be the boss. I find great pride in being able to help to make the world a less lonely and more tolerant space. I think if I’d have done what society wanted me to do when I was younger - settled down, married, 2.5 kids, quiet job etc - I’d be very unhappy today. It’s this lesson I carry with me, and which will continue to influence my character and my actions going forward.
my father. Being the strong, independent
woman I was at a bold 72 months I decided I would just take myself. Thankfully
I didn’t get too far on my own that day, but I think that is a great story to demonstrate that I’ve always been strong willed, and it’s better to work with me rather than say no. I spend a lot of my time now using my voice and my confidence to speak up for others, both in and
hy
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