Highly respected inspector wins Cumbria Police Federation Women in Policing Award

25 June 2026

A highly respected inspector who leads with integrity and has been a role model in policing for more than 24 years has won the Women in Policing Award at the Cumbria Police Federation Recognition Awards.

Inspector Sara Seath’s deep operational knowledge, strong decision-making, and ability to balance strategic leadership with frontline experience have earned her widespread respect across the organisation.

Insp Seath said: “I've spent my career wanting to be good in my job as a police officer, without my gender coming into it. But I'd like to think I bring a bit of inspiration to younger-in-service officers and show that female officers are not to be underestimated.”

Insp Seath added that female officers often have a challenging role on the frontline, because “we can be outfaced by somebody who is biologically stronger. And we go into that knowing that if they wanted to do us harm, they really could. So we go and stand our ground”.

She continued: “Women can be as successful as men, and achieve what they want to achieve. You can be a firearms commander, you can be an inspector – everything's there for the taking if you want it.”

That wasn’t necessarily the case 24 years ago, when Insp Seath first joined the police. She recalled: “I wasn't supported to be a riot-trained public order officer, because my sergeant said: ‘I wouldn't have wanted a woman like you standing next to me in the miners' riots’. That was acceptable back then.”

Insp Seath’s colleagues praised her “relentless work ethic” and the fact that she regularly puts on her body armour and joins her officers at incidents, demonstrating that she is part of the team, not just directing it.

Whether she is managing complex deployments, supporting officers through stressful incidents, or helping to shape longer-term policing goals, Insp Seath brings clarity and a grounded perspective. Colleagues value her honesty and her willingness to listen, as well as lead.

Insp Seath said her favourite thing about being a police officer was making a difference in people’s lives: “Helping a victim in their time of need is really rewarding, and if you catch a bad guy, that's really satisfying as well. And also, within the workplace, there’s the camaraderie and the friendship that you have with people – that lasts for years.”

She said she was humbled to receive the Federation award: “It's meaningful because it's a nomination that has come from peers rather than being picked by a senior leader. It's humbling being recognised by your colleagues.”

Cumbria Police Federation Chair Ed Russell said: “Sara is a true role model, and shows what can be achieved through professionalism, resilience and dedication. Her influence inspires confidence in junior officers and contributes to positive cultural change across policing.

“Congratulations Sara, we are very proud of you.”

The Cumbria Police Federation Recognition Awards are taking place on 25 June 2026, in association with Slater & Gordon.

Also sponsoring the awards are Cumbria Police Group Insurance Scheme, Philip Williams, Uniform Mortgages, Police Friendly, Accord, National Police Healthcare Scheme, No1 CopperPot Credit Union, Taylor Law, and Serve and Protect.