Merseyside Police celebrates International Women’s Day by inspiring the next generation

This week (Friday 8 March) is International Women’s Day and women officers and staff from across the force will be marking the occasion by celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

This day not only provides an opportunity to recognise all the contributions and achievements of our female officers and staff across the force, but also look at how Merseyside Police can better support, inspire, and empower women in our wider communities. 

This week a host of female Merseyside Police officers and staff will be visiting 10 all-girl high schools across the region, in the hope of inspiring the next generation of young women to choose a career in policing.

Organised by the force Outreach Team, the female volunteers will be from various departments across the force, including IT, Investigations, Custody and People Services.  The idea will be to share their career highlights so far, discuss the challenges they have overcome and what advice they would give to anyone looking to follow in their footsteps.

Outreach Officer Emma Hodgson who has coordinated these events said: “As part of my role as an Outreach Officer, we go out and connect with our different communities, forge positive relationships and hopefully inspire people to join our force.

“I would never have known about the role of an Outreach Officer when I was starting out but during the last 17 years, I have been lucky enough to work in many different roles such as Response, Roads Policing, Family Crime, Missing Persons Unit, Local Policing and Schools.

“Over the week, we will have spoken directly to over 3,500 young girls from across the Merseyside region and we have already received plenty of positive feedback from the visits we have conducted so far.”  

Jenn Wilson, Temporary Assistant Chief Constable, Local Policing and Criminal Justice, said: “The theme of International Women’s Day this year is to Inspire Inclusion, striving for a world where difference is valued and celebrated. I have worked for Merseyside Police for 23 years and I have been fortunate enough to work with many great role models who have inspired me to go on to support others on their journeys.

“Taking part in these school assemblies is a great way to inspire young girls as they carve out their future careers. Hopefully, by showcasing all the different roles on offer, we can attract a diverse range of girls who can all bring a mix of skills and perspectives.

“I really care about people, and I believe the best way to make a positive difference in policing is by making sure everyone is valued for who they are and the contributions they make.”

Helen Rimmer, Assistant Headteacher, at Archbishop Blanch High School, said: “The girls have really been inspired by the range of diverse women that have presented to them today.

“It is fantastic for them to see the range of roles available beyond police officer roles too, it highlights new paths that they might wish to follow in the future.”