Fed member clinches Women in Policing Award

18 July 2024

A Hertfordshire Police Federation member has shared her delight at winning the British Association for Women in Policing’s (BAWP) Officer of the Year Award.

Accompanied by her partner, Luke, Amy attended the BAWP event which was held at the start of June at Carden Park in Cheshire, where her sense of shock was heightened further as she was announced as the winner.

“It was a real honour to be there, surrounded by so many incredible women in policing,” she continued. “I was massively proud to have their appreciation on the night as I accepted the award.”

In her four years with the Force, Amy has accomplished a lot – including a key involvement in a problem-solving partnership with the New York Police Department, aimed at reducing violence and anti-social behaviour against women and girls, particularly in night-time economies.

The three-month long collaboration saw the forces share knowledge on best practice which Amy was then able to take into her Friday and Saturday night shifts in Stevenage Old Town.

“As a female officer who polices and sees night-time economies up close, it is very important to me that other women feel safe in this public space. The partnership was great to be part of, and it was interesting to see how officers in one of the world’s biggest cities tackle these issues,” she said.

Additionally, Amy has led a two-year project to improve police engagement with a local mental health hospital in Stevenage. Following her work, staff at Cygnet Hospital Stevenage became more empowered to report incidents to the Force, knowing they would be supported and protected in all circumstances.

Within this, the project also oversaw a 50 per cent reduction in hoax calls from the hospital, after she revised the flow system of emergency contact to lessen demand on police resources.

She added: “It was great to be able to bridge that gap between the Force and the hospital because these types of relationships are so important. In terms of the hoax calls, we all know how much pressure police are constantly under, so I’m pleased we’ve been able to nip many of them in the bud.”

PC Amy Hunter, second from left, at the BAWP awards.

Offering support to colleagues as a designated wellbeing lead and attending various community events are also regularly on Amy’s agenda, whose championed approach to policing is a far cry from the self-doubt she initially entered the job with.

“When I first started, I was conscious of whether I’d be able to make a difference. I thought being 5ft 2, victim-led and not very confrontational would count against me, especially as a woman.

“I couldn’t have been more wrong. Overall, that’s why I am so proud of this award – because it recognises that women can be successful in the police, which people might not always think to be the case.”

Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Luke Mitchell was full of praise for Amy when asked about her win.

“It’s an incredible achievement for Amy to pick up this award among so many other outstanding nominees,” he said, adding: “Her commitment to policing and her tendency to go the extra mile are both clear to see, so she is very deserving of the recognition.