Lancashire Constabulary’s PC Nikki Nabi has been named the recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Women in Policing Award by the Police Federation of England and Wales - an honour created in memory of PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty in 2012.

This national accolade, awarded annually, recognises exceptional individuals who have gone above and beyond to promote gender equality, inclusion, and innovation in policing.

PC Nabi’s win is a landmark moment, not only for her personally, but also for Lancashire Constabulary, which now holds the record for the most wins since the award’s inception, with three accolades to its name.

“I was very honoured and privileged,” said PC Nikki Nabi. “To be told I’d won a national award was incredible, but what meant even more was the fact it was in memory of Nicola and Fiona. To be associated with their bravery and sacrifice is truly humbling.”

With over two decades of service, PC Nabi has made a remarkable impact, particularly since joining the Police Uplift Programme in 2021.

Previously based in response policing, she transitioned into recruitment and community engagement - a move that allowed her to connect with women across diverse backgrounds and dismantle longstanding misconceptions about life in the police.

One of the key challenges she identified was the Job-Related Fitness Test, commonly known as the “bleep test”.

Recognising that it came late in the recruitment process and carried a high failure rate, PC Nabi introduced early-stage mock tests.

These sessions were designed to be supportive and informative rather than evaluative, empowering women to gauge their fitness levels without fear of failure.

This simple yet powerful change not only improved pass rates, but also served as a launchpad for wider community engagement.

Nikki took the fitness test into local communities, hosting informal sessions where women could meet officers, try the test, and speak candidly about careers in policing.

One such event led to the recruitment of Yasmeen Ahmed, now a proud Lancashire officer.
“I was at the park and saw Nikki - a police officer who looked like me. She was so warm and approachable,” said Yasmeen. “Without her, I don’t think I would have ever considered policing. She’s been a huge support throughout my career.”

PC Nabi also broke new ground in addressing cultural and religious barriers, particularly around the hijab.

She formed a focus group with Muslim women officers, collaborated with clothing suppliers, and helped design three hijab styles suitable for operational duties - meeting both practical and religious requirements.

These are now officially offered to all Muslim women joining Lancashire Police, whether as police officers, PCSOs, or staff.

Her work within the Workforce Representation Team has led to real, lasting change - not just inpolicy, but in lives.

Police Federation Women’s Lead Sue Honeywill, who presented the award, said: “Nikki is exceptionally well-deserving of this award. Her humility belies the incredible impact of her work. She has reached out to underrepresented communities, reimagined the recruitment process, and supported others into the service. Her efforts have helped make Lancashire Police one of the most inclusive forces in the UK.”

Chief Constable Sacha Hatchett echoed this sentiment: “Nikki has pushed the boundaries around recruitment and representation. Her work has been nationally and internationally recognised, particularly her efforts to make policing more accessible to women from diverse communities. We’re incredibly proud of her.”

PC Nikki Nabi’s story is one of empathy, action, and lasting change. Her work continues to inspire colleagues across England and Wales, and with this national recognition, her initiatives are set to inform best practice across the wider policing community.

(Caption: Former Lancashire Police Federation Chair Zeg Awan, PC Nikki Nabi, Chief Constable Sacha Hatchett)