Empower magazine embodies how proud we are 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. We celebrates our outstanding people and their journeys.
JUNE EDITION CELEBRATING TRAILBLAZERS
WOMEN AT WORK
“WE DEDICATE OURSELVES TO THE SAFETY OF OTHERS NIC OUTEN
“OUR INTERACTIONS ARE SIGNIFICANT IN HELPING THE RECOVERY FROM TRAUMA” NIA MELLOR
“AS A MOTHER AND AN OFFICER, I’M ABLE TO EMPATHISE AND UNDERSTAND THE DEMAND ON WORKING FAMILIES” RITU SHARMA
STRONGER TOGETHER
Shazia Moran CHIEF INSPECTOR
06 RITU SHARMA
04
DETECTIVE INSPECTOR
empower
J U N E
EDITION 2
18 SANDEEP BIRDIE Project manager WE ARE PROUD TO BE A FORCE THAT CARES ABOUT PEOPLE 22 NIA MELLOR DETECTIVE Chief INSPECTOR NICOLA OUTEN INSPECTOR British Transport Police (BTP) keep millions of people moving safely on Britain’s rail networks every day. As Guardians of the Railway we support each other and help communities get to their destinations safely. When it comes to your career journey, we’ll do the same.
16
PAGE. 3
We are a national force and we work in a challenging environment, which means we have specialist skills to protect our communities. Our people are trained to the highest standards to keep us one step ahead.
It’s everything you would expect to experience in a police force and much more. By joining us you can be sure that you will gain new skills, be challenged, be supported and make friends for life. careers.btp.police.uk
Shazia Moran | Chief Inspector British Transport Police
empower
J U N E
EDITION 2
Women AT WORK TRAILBLAZING THE WAY FORWARD
I was encouraged to join the police by my dad and being the first female officer in my family, I’ve always led the way and pushed the boundaries. Being able to share that journey with my community, sharing how I’ve developed and progressed has made me a role model. That’s not something I take lightly – I’m passionate about helping and supporting the development of our future female leaders. Motivation can come in many guises, my experience taught me that I could have a real impact in policing and that I had the qualities needed to go further. Support from my peers and practical advice from how to present myself at interview to how to manage my nerves have all played a role in getting me to where I am today.
I am grateful for the brilliant people I have worked with who have given me the gift of their time to help develop me. Having the unwavering support of friends and family are at the core of my successes. Even when I haven’t been successful, they continue to encourage me. I’m proud of what we do, building confidence and trust by highlighting the positive work BTP are achieving, the focus on violence against women and girls, and the desire
and commitment to encourage different communities to join our workforce. I have enjoyed the different roles I have been in from CID to operational response and this has kept me focussed and involved. If you want to do the best you can to help people, and if you want to be a part of how we make things better for the future, then take a look at a policing. It’s an incredibly challenging, but ultimately very rewarding career.
PAGE. 5
When you love what you do, you bring thAt ENERGY back to your family
If you’d have spoken to a younger version of me, I never would have anticipated I’d be where I am now. It all happened on a bit of a chance during my master’s degree, when I was job hunting and wanting a change as I was quite bored. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do – and then a pop-up advert appeared for British Transport Police. I’d never wanted to be a police officer, but it mentioned having the opportunity to help others, and I thought I could do it until I found a job aligned to my degree. And 20 years later, I’m
still here. Thankfully, that element of helping people was prominent from the start. From the beginning I remember feeling a real sense of family, and that has stayed throughout my career. It’s the foundation of what I do in both my public facing role and behind the scenes. On duty I’m responding to serious reports – helping vulnerable people or victims of crime.
continue to drive change, adapting our workforce to support our officers and staff. As a mother and an officer, I’m able to empathise and understand the demand on working families.That is especially so in today’s climate, so we work to find solutions where everyone feels supported. I’m really proud of everything I’ve achieved so far and hope I can continue growing and leading conversations at BTP.
Internally I’ve just taken the reins of the Female Police Association to
RITU SHARMA | DETECTIVE INSPECTOR
empower
J U N E
EDITION 2
PAGE. 7
Who are BTP? Click Here
empower
J U N E
EDITION 2
PAGE. 9
Why join BTP? Click Here
POLICE RANKS
123
6159
Police Constable Police Constable is the starting rank for most officers who join policing. Essentially, this entails the prevention
Sergeant Police Sergeants are the first supervisory rank in policing and generally remain operational. It’s a tough job, but the first in a rewarding career of formal police leadership ranks. The rank of sergeant is signified by three chevron stripes on the arms or epaulettes.
Inspector Inspectors remain mostly operational and take a more
Chief Inspector The role of a Chief Inspector is to oversee large teams and resources. The insignia of chief inspectors is three ‘pips’ on their uniform epaulettes.
Superintendent The Superintendent rank is the first of the senior manager levels within policing. They oversee large and/or complex departments and resources and often carry responsibility for a specific policy or policing area. They are also often the senior decision-maker during significant operational incidents. The insignia of Superintendents is a single crown worn on their uniform epaulettes.
strategic perspective on operational policing matters. Inspectors have two ‘pips’ on their epaulettes, formally called ‘Order of the Bath’ stars, or ‘Bath Stars’.
and detection of crime. Roles can include response, neighbourhood policing, firearms and many other specialist roles.
SPECIAL ConstableS Special Constables are volunteer police officers with the same powers as full-time officers.
Police community support officer PCSOs are members of police staff who patrol the railway alongside our police officers. Uniforms are clearly marked ‘PCSO’.
Police Community Support Officer 6159
empower
J U N E
EDITION 2
PAGE. 11
Deputy Chief Constable The Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) is part of the ‘Chief Officer’ level of policing. They are responsible for supporting the Chief Constable in leading the force vision and strategy. The DCC rank badge depicts crossed tipstaves in a laurel wreath with one pip and is worn on uniform epaulettes.
Chief Constable The Chief Constable is the most senior rank. They are responsible for leading the force and setting out its vision for the future. The Chief Constable’s rank badge depicts crossed tipstaves in a laurel wreath with one crown and is worn on uniform epaulettes.
Assistant Chief Constable
Chief Superintendent Chief Superintendent is the final rank before reaching the ‘Chief Officer’ level of policing. They oversee multiple, large and/or complex departments and resources, while often carrying responsibility for specific policy or large policing areas. They play a lead role during major incidents. The insignia of Chief Superintendents is a single crown and a pip, worn on uniform epaulettes.
Assistant Chief Constables (ACCs) are the first within the ‘Chief Officer’ ranks, equivalent to the executive level in other organisations. They are responsible for major organisational portfolios (e.g. ‘Crime’ or ‘Local Policing’) and/or policing territories, while implementing the force vision and strategy.
careers.btp.police.uk
As Guardians of the Railway we keep millions of people moving safely across the rail networks every day. We support each other and help communities get to their destinations safely. When it comes to your career journey, we’ll do the same.
See where your career is heading >>>
Protect every journey
empower
J U N E
EDITION 2
PAGE. 13
Click Here
Click Here
empower
J U N E
EDITION 2
Download Railway Guardian Safest Together
Should any incidents occur while you are out and about on the rail network, our evidence upload tool give you the opportunity to share any images or footage you have captured. Once your report is made, we will reach out and send you a link to allow you to upload any footage from the incident. Wi-Fi connection or internet data will be needed to do so.
PAGE. 15
Surround yourself with supportive people
I don’t think me joining policing is a massive surprise. In school I’d always been a stickler for the rules, I loved studying and later did my degree in law - so I was always going to do something on that pathway. Also, my dad was a Special Constable when I was growing up, and a massive railway buff too, so I think me starting at British Transport Police was a dream come true for him.
that’s why I eventually decided on pursuing policing. It was quite busy from the off when I joined as a PC - there was a prolific train crash in my first two weeks of joining - and a few other major incidents over the following two years. It was a hands- on start to my career, but I knew it would prepare me for progressing through the ranks over the years. I remember a previous Chief Constable told me to treat each call like it came from a family member and I’ve really carried it with me.
You’re speaking to people when they’re at their most vulnerable. Your interactions can be significant in the way they recover from the trauma and how they feel supported by the justice system. It’s really rewarding to be able to build on things, implementing change within the Violence Against Women and Girls sphere and continue making the railway a safer place.
I love the public engagement, getting to meet and help people. I think
NIA MELLOR | DETECTIVE Chief INSPECTOR
empower
J U N E
EDITION 2
PAGE. 17
Resilience is all about being able to overcome the unexpected
I’ve always been a creative person. When I was a kid, I’d tell my dad I want to be a cartoonist. I’d always be making things with my hands or drawing – my dad has a little ‘Sandi’ section of things he’s not been able to throw away that I’ve made. I still enjoy digital illustrating now and use that a lot to let myself relax. Especially as I’m someone who doesn’t like to coast, I always like to be thinking ‘what can I do next or better?’ My family and friends are also so important to me. I love to host dinner parties, hype up my girlfriends and just spend time with them. I grew up in a very male-dominated family after losing my mum when I was quite young, but her character and resilience are something I’ve
learned from and carried with me, and I love to share this with other people. There are always knockbacks in life, whether that’s personally or professionally, but I’ve got that confidence in myself and my knowledge to keep pushing forward. I try to help others see this too. I began posting on Instagram in my spare time about putting yourself out there as a woman in male-dominated industries and it started to get my friends talking about it more. I didn’t have that confidence to put myself out there when I was younger, but I’ve developed that over time. I hope I can just continue to grow into a position where I can influence women, give them the confidence of ‘I can do this’, and just like to hope I’ve made a difference.
SANDEEP BIRDIE | Project manager
empower
J U N E
EDITION 2
PAGE. 19
TOGETHER WE RISE
REBECCA BROWN | SERGEANT
HANA KELBL | INTELLIGENCE COLLATOR
POLICING MEANS TO ME: Protecting the public, preventing crime, and providing support to victims. It’s a varied, rewarding and challenging job, where you get to see the
POLICING MEANS TO ME: I joined BTP in 2019 and have always felt a great sense of belonging. I enjoy working as a part of an effective team who together deal with sometimes very complex and sensitive cases. Initially, I started as a Station Support Officer in Reading and very quickly developed new valuable skillsets and qualifications that later enabled me to join the world of intel.
direct impact of your work.
I am proud of what I and my colleagues can achieve by working together. We contribute towards an
overarching objective be that as part of pre-planned operations, assisting with calls to service or effectively engaging with stakeholders and the public to help BTP best meet their diverse needs
and expectations.
Over the years, I have made friends for life, and I truly
appreciate that I have become a part of this great police family.
WENDY BUCK | INSPECTOR
POLICING MEANS TO ME: If you want a career that will challenge you every day, that will bring close friendships, a variety of opportunities - and when you are asked “how was your day?”, you can say “I made difference to someone’s life today” - then this is the job for you.
empower
J U N E
EDITION 2
Charlotte de Brito | Security & Safeguarding Manager
FIONA ROBERTSON | SERGEANT
POLICING MEANS TO ME: I joined to do the right thing and help others. We are a small minority who does a job like no other. I am very passionate about policing and strive extremely hard to provide
POLICING MEANS TO ME: Joining BTP opened up opportunities to develop
personally and professionally and make a positive difference into our community. At BTP we are proud Guardians of the Railway and our police staff roles come in all shapes and sizes, from supporting frontline officers
a service that people won’t forget. When I joined the motto was ‘treat every call like it is someone from your own family’ – this is how I still treat individuals I come into contact with.
in to
the Control Room through professional functions in People and Culture, Finance and Commercial Digital and Technology and other amazing roles.
PAGE. 21
ARLENE WILSon | Superintendent
POLICING MEANS TO ME: A chance to make a positive difference. Initially that difference was to those victims of crime or bereavement, being there to investigate thoroughly. I would seek the truth and found supporting people through trauma was a privilege, that I hold with the highest regard. I now make the biggest impact by enabling, supporting and encouraging colleagues to make that same difference, ensuring that I serve my team and help others become great.
I want to leave the world in a better place than when I arrived
It was a big surprise to me that I became a police officer, let alone my family.
There are a lot of misconceptions about domestic violence and coercive control; people just think ‘why don’t they just leave’ or ‘why do they put up with it’, but it’s far more complex than that. I wanted to use and learn from my experiences to try and leave the world in a better place than when I arrived. We had thorough training from an expert for this who’d done extensive work with both adult and children victim-survivors, and perpetrators - studying behaviours, grooming cycles, trauma cycles, victim blaming, all elements that involve domestic violence. This of course can all be applied to our external policing work too when working with the public. But it’s good to make sure there’s someone to look out for our officers and staff too. My passion is really looking out for my colleagues because they’re always putting themselves on the line, and they deserved to be looked after too.
I was working as the area commander’s PA when I
applied to be an officer and I am still here 14 years later, continuing to pave my path at BTP. I’m currently the Violence Against Women and Girls Co-Ordinator, but I’m also a domestic violence peer supporter for my colleagues.
Being a survivor of domestic violence and having been through all the processes with work and the law, I think
I’m in a good place to really understand and listen to those going through something similar.
NICOLA OUTEN | Inspector & Domestic Violence Peer Supporter
empower
J U N E
EDITION 2
PAGE. 23
empower
J U N E
EDITION 2
PAGE. 25
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting