Michele Kavanagh Bio

I joined Lancashire Police in 1996, and have worked on IR, Custody, PPU, CID and Corporate roles. I have been a Sergeant for 20 years and am qualified to Inspector rank.

I joined the Federation as a workplace rep 4 years ago and became full-time last year. I became Deputy Conduct and Performance Liaison Officer in January and was voted onto the National Council as female representative for North-West regional forces. I report on Detective issues locally and National Detectives Forum.

I am experienced in dealing with ill health processes, misconduct meetings and hearings, regulation 12/13 and all aspects of welfare and supporting our members to navigate regs and achieve fairness.

I am passionate about justice and equality for all. This is evident in my previous role as Diversity Sergeant and workforce representation.

Having supervised various teams, working alongside different characters, backgrounds, having dealt with serious criminality and complex cases and demanding workloads, I have a broad understanding of individual’s needs and how to appropriately communicate and support. I am naturally empathetic with a drive to bring out the best in people and comprehend individuality.

I am acutely aware of the challenges that policing brings, alongside your personal lives. Striking the balance can be tricky and sometimes we fall off the horse and need a leg up to get back on. This takes time, patience and dedication, all of which I have and will continue to have in my commitment to you.

I know you are all faced with challenges every day. I will drive a team who are dedicated, qualified, and empathetic federation reps to be supportive, intrusive and  your guide through the fog. I am accessible and committed to be your voice. I, and my team will listen and respond with conviction to achieve justice and fairness. I will negotiate and raise your issues accordingly.

I have been there myself. My children’s father was a police officer who suffered with acute depression and self-medicated through alcohol. This was a tough time for us all which ultimately resulted in his dismissal and marriage breakdown. I experienced this as a wife, mother, colleague and as a supervisor. It challenged my loyalty to the Organisation but equally helped me understand my own strength and resilience. This inspired me to become a Federation rep and what drives me to do the right thing for our members whilst being cognisant of the Organisational stance.

When operational, I sustained an injury on duty, resulting in multiple surgeries and a hip replacement. This changed many aspects for me and was a blocker for the next rank.

My lived experiences have helped me to understand our member’s difficulties and have given me the conviction to negotiate and influence, to navigate through a unique and demanding career. You are ordinary people doing an extraordinary job. I am a strong leader, and will fight for you, as your Federation Chair to make the right decisions, to represent your rights in a diplomatic, fair and professional manner.