Meet your new branch chair: Lisa Flanagan

5 June 2025

“I want members to know that I’ve been on my own journey - and I’m here, we are here as their Federation, to support them on theirs.”

Meet Lisa Flanagan, the new chair of Derbyshire Police Federation.

Here, we caught up with Lisa, as we shined a light on the driving force behind her wanting to ‘provide the very best support for members’.

“It sounds cliche, but I genuinely care. I care about people and I want to make a difference,” says Lisa, who has been in the Police for eight years.

 

New branch chair Lisa Flanagan.

 

Lisa studied at the University of Leeds, and started her policing career in Derbyshire, before moving to South Yorkshire Police. Following a successful promotion, she returned to Derbyshire.

Her priority has always been helping others - whether they are victims, witnesses or even supporting offenders. And now her focus has shifted - to supporting her colleagues.

“I want to make sure our members each thrive in the role they are in,” she says, adding: “I want to give them the tools they need to do the best job possible and the support they deserve when they need it most.

“For me, it really is all about being there for our members.”

Engagement

Looking forward, Lisa says her key areas of focus with be shaped around boosting engagement with members, increasing equality across the Force and improving wellbeing.

Having experienced trauma herself, Lisa speaks candidly about the counselling she received as a result of the impact this had on her mental health.

She said: “I think it’s a weakness admitting that you need that support - in fact, I think it’s a strength. For me, I’m not embarrassed about discussing the counselling I received and my own experiences with trauma - in fact, I think it’s my strength. 

“I hope members will be able to relate to me, and feel comfortable approaching me about their own concerns, issues and challenges.

“I want members to know that I’ve been on my own journey - and I’m here, we are here as their Federation, to support them on theirs.”

As for the challenges she anticipates, Lisa says there are a lot of big changes taking place - both in the Federation and the Force - which she recognises might cause unease amongst members.

However, having been diagnosed with fibromyalgia in January last year, Lisa knows first-hand how to combat whatever life throws at you, head-on.

“I used to be a long-distance runner, and then I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia - and was told I couldn’t run again,” Lisa explains.

Diagnosis

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that can cause widespread body pain, with Lisa’s symptoms also including fatigue, insomnia and brain fog.

She added: “But there was no way I would let that happen. Running is my passion - it’s my medicine. And I’m pleased to say I’m now running again. 

“Being diagnosed has changed my perspective. It’s given me a strength I didn’t know was there - a strength that will undoubtedly help me as branch chair.”

Alongside her determined attitude, Lisa says she is proudly positive and enthusiastic.

“I’m a glass-half-full type, which I hope will help when I’m building and growing relationships with key stakeholders and senior leaders,” she continued.

“I hope that being female will enable me to offer a different insight.

“I want to give minority groups a voice, and I want to empower all members to feel they have the same opportunities as everyone else.”

Opportunities

A key priority for Lisa will be engaging with student officers, and encouraging them to become members from the moment they join the police.

“For me, I can’t see why you wouldn’t sign up to the Federation,” she says, adding: “But I know not everyone feels like that.

“I want to develop the Federation’s reputation by proactively engaging with officers and showing them the value of becoming a member.

“I’m keen to boost both internal and external communications, so that our members to see the work we are doing.”

Lisa ended by expressing her pride at becoming chair of the branch: “I feel really proud to be chair of Derbyshire Police Federation and I look forward to finding out what this next chapter holds for me.”

Joining Lisa as a full-time Federation representative is Chris Parker, who has stepped into the role of branch secretary, taking over from Kirsty Bunn.