Chief Inspector Appears in Queen Documentary on Domestic Abuse

8 November 2024

Avon and Somerset Chief Inspector Sharon Baker – who won a Police Federation award for her work supporting officers experiencing domestic violence – appears in an upcoming ITV documentary led by the Queen.

Ch Insp Baker is herself a victim of domestic violence. Several years ago she bravely made a video detailing her ordeal, which was screened to police colleagues. She was astounded to receive messages from scores of other officers who had endured domestic abuse and subsequently set up a support network for officers, as well as raising awareness of the issue nationwide. In 2021, she received the Police Federation’s Annual Outstanding Contribution to Women in Policing Award.

The new ITV documentary, ‘Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors’, follows the Queen’s work on domestic abuse, including her meetings with survivors and visits to refuge centres. As well as featuring an interview with Ch Insp Baker, it also includes perspectives from advocates such as Theresa May, Jess Phillips and Cherie Blair.

Avon and Somerset Police Federation’s Acting Chair, Iain Prideaux, said, “Chief Inspector Sharon Baker has been inspirational and instrumental in changing policy, processes and perceptions about domestic abuse both within Avon and Somerset Police and nationally.

“By sharing her personal experiences, Sharon has developed a network of support for survivors, and has created a domestic abuse pledge that commits the force to supporting survivors. She has raised the profile of domestic abuse at a national level.

“Sharon was awarded the Federation’s Women In Policing award in 2021 and we have developed a close working relationship that means the Federation is seen as a safe place for survivors to come to us as another strand of support.

“The Queen has vowed she will ‘keep trying’ to end domestic abuse, until she is ‘able to do no more’. The Federation is here to support Sharon and the force’s work to end domestic abuse. I hope all our officers, staff and members of the wider community are able to watch this important documentary.”

‘Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors’ will premiere on ITV on 11 November.