Detective and Bronze Public Order Commander talks of challenges and opportunities of both roles

3 October 2024

DCI Anna Rice’s day job is in Criminal Justice Services, but as a Bronze Commander she plans the policing of large events such as protests or football matches, taking responsibility for up to 100 public-order-trained officers. When the event is live, she’s on the ground communicating the plans, as the Silver Commander has more of a tactical oversight.

DCI Rice said: “I’ve always done public order work throughout my career. Not many Detectives keep on doing it, but I’ve always found that you get to see a different side of policing.

“Especially when you get to Inspector and Chief Inspector rank, you don’t necessarily get to go out and spend much time with the public. So doing public order work is an opportunity to keep that forward-facing aspect to my job.

“I also really like the fact that I get to spend time with operational, uniformed cops that I don’t come into as much contact with in my day job. I also get to use a different skill set, things like quick-time decision making.

My Detective job is more about longer-term problem solving.

“Public-order policing can be a bit of a challenge, but it’s really enjoyable. Who else gets to run around a training centre and get petrol thrown at them, and get paid for it?! We’re lucky in the police that we can have these multifaceted careers.”

Historically, public order policing has been male-dominated, which sometimes puts female officers off, but DCI Rice said it shouldn’t.

She said: “Women might perceive it as being male-dominated, especially the level of fitness, but that’s very much changing. I’ve never seen myself as the poster girl for public-order officers, but it’s really important to demonstrate that anyone can do it.

“If you’re interested in it, there’s a place for anyone, from any background, and it’s not this intimidating world that people think it is. It’s actually brilliant and really supportive, whoever you are, and people will help you achieve what you want to do within that sphere.”

DCI Rice added that it was a more flexible role than people thought: “What puts people off is they think they’ll get all their rest days cancelled, and they’re going to have to give up all their time.

“But we all have other lives – I’ve got two children and a husband who works shifts. You can make it work for you and do as many events as you want to do, or as few – although there’s a minimum number, because you have to stay accredited. You do a couple of two-day training sessions a year to keep yourself qualified, but it’s relatively flexible.”

On her Detective role, DCI Rice said: “It’s really rewarding, if you’ve got the mindset that you want to resolve something and get the best outcome for a victim. Yes, it’s hard, and yes, policing’s going through a tough time with demand and lack of resources, but it’s still an opportunity to make a change and have an impact on people. And there’s so much opportunity within the Detective world.”

She added: “I feel that the police is a great place to do whatever you want to set your mind to, and there’s always somebody who will help you overcome your fears and concerns. Especially in this force, there are so many great people who have supported me along the way – it’s all about putting yourself out there.”