Improving inclusivity in the British Transport Police

I remember being in year one at primary school and being asked to draw what I wanted to be when I was older – I drew a police officer, a ballet dancer and a hairdresser. I wanted to be all three!

I did dance ballet for years but decided I didn’t want to commit to the lifestyle that came with it. I’d say my calling to serve as a member of staff in the police and an officer stemmed from a deep-rooted desire to help others, whether that be safeguarding the vulnerable or witnessing individuals go through their toughest moments.

Reflecting on growing up, I always recalled stories from my parents and grandparents that highlighted their respect for the police and how they would often remark on the lack of female officers. I saw an advert for Communications Officers in the Force Control Room Birmingham and here I am four years later.

I started at British Transport Police in November 2019, just over a year after I finished my university degree, I remember being proud that I had passed the interview as a Communications Officer. I did find the 12 hour shifts quite challenging due to my health conditions and the demands of the role, but I spent two years in this role, before going for a promotion.

In November 2021, I was promoted to Development Officer for Force Control Room. This role included training new and existing Communications Officers, as well as quality checks and audits to maintain standards.

I stayed in this role for 18 months, whereby my confidence with public speaking and delivering training greatly increased, and I found the confidence to apply for a role out of Contact Management. In April 2023, I started an attachment with the inclusion and diversity team as their Learning Delivery Coordinator and loved it. I went for the full-time position and passed the interview.

A personal battle with mental and physical health

While at BTP I have faced personal challenges with both physical and mental health conditions. In September 2021, while I was still a Communications Officer, I dealt with two deaths whilst on the radio channel, both being very disturbing. In the same week, my relationship broke down and a friend died. It was a lot.

I was already struggling with depression, which had been exacerbated by lockdown. I wasn’t eating, sleeping and started having flashbacks. After asking my manager to refer me to Occupational Health, I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I attended several sessions of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which really helped and learned to adjust to my symptoms. I still deal with anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder) daily, but I have learned to manage my symptoms of PTSD and depression. My physical health has also been a rollercoaster and is something many years later I am still learning to manage.

Getting diagnoses for my health conditions has been somewhat difficult and I would even say traumatic. I have IBS, chronic fatigue syndrome / myalgic encephalomyelitis, fibromyalgia and endometriosis, as well as anxiety and previously depression and PTSD.

There still seems to be that stigma surrounding chronic illnesses, and I have found especially when they are female specific. Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain in the pelvis and extremely heavy periods as well as extreme fatigue and brain fog.

It took almost five years and a lot of medical tests to get diagnosed. I am always very open about my health conditions and will answer any questions colleagues may have. I feel at BTP the provision of free period products in toilets has started that conversation, but the subject can still often be taboo.

Voices of resilience: Promoting conversations on disability in the workplace

I remember trying to ask a female police officer before I applied to be a Special Constable what she does when she is on her period and can’t guarantee a toilet break – unfortunately the female I spoke to didn’t understand why I was asking that question. Some of you may be thinking that it is a silly or unnecessary question but when I am on shift, I need to know where the nearest toilet is or if I have enough products to last me. Attitudes have changed towards the menopause, and while I am not menopausal, endometriosis has many symptoms similar to those of the menopause, hot flushes being the main one.

There can sometimes be a ‘well you look fine’ attitude when I disclose my disabilities, but I strongly believe that the only way to change attitudes is to have conversations and allow colleagues like me to share their stories. We need to become more comfortable talking about disability.

There is progress, the Female Police Association are looking at the uniform and if any adjustments can be made, flexible working is being authorised and spoken about more, and I don’t feel the embarrassment anymore when expressing my additional needs. There is also the Disability and Neurodiversity Alliance, a inclusion and diversity business partner who’s portfolio includes disability and reasonable adjustments. BTP now looks at greater accessibility, both in physical spaces and policies, to accommodate the needs of women with disabilities.

There’s a growing emphasis on improved resources to better support female colleagues with disabilities, looking to ensure their full integration and equal participation within the force. I’m proud to talk about my disabilities and my journey and hope that this will encourage others to do the same.

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This article is republished from British Transport Police Empower Magazine – Disability History Edition.