‘I’m extremely proud of my career’: Proud branch secretary marks 20 years in the police

17 September 2024

“My second arrest was far more exciting than my first. My tutor, Darron Bishop asked me to run down a river after a man who had stolen a boat from a local canoe centre.”

Rewind back to 2004. The date is 31 March, and secretary of Northamptonshire Police Federation Charlotte Pateman put on her police uniform for the first time, ready to embark on her dream career as a cop.

Here, we caught up with the recently turned 50-year-old as she celebrates 20 years in the police family.

“I’d always wanted to join the police,” Charlotte recalled, adding: “But it wasn’t until I was older, after I’d gained some life experience, that I made the move.

Response team

“I was part of a very close response team. We knew each other’s roles inside out - we had each other’s back and would help each other out whenever one of us needed it. I think elements of that unconditional support within teams have been lost in modern-day policing.”

Thinking about her first shift, Charlotte says she had only ever worn her police boots during training, which led to feet full of blisters.

“I wanted to prove myself so much I didn’t say anything,” she says, adding that one of the biggest differences between now and 20 years ago has to be the uniform.

 

Northamptonshire Police Federation secretary Charlotte Pateman.

 

“When I first joined, I remember the stab vest was ‘one size fits all’ - it rose up so much on me, I ended up looking like I was wearing the famous Madonna bra,” Charlotte laughed.

The uncomfortable kit led to Charlotte joining the Force’s Uniform Advisory Group and playing a key role in improving the uniform for local officers.

“I’m proud of playing a part in those changes,” she says, adding: “I think the uniform sizing is much better now, and we have warmer jackets too, which is a bonus.”

Commendation

Charlotte recalled one incident which gained her commendation, which took place when she was a sergeant on response.

“We arrived to the scene to find a man hanging out of a window shouting ‘he’s going to kill me’. It turns out there was a really violent offender inside, and although we [Charlotte and her colleague Lauren Slinn] were told back up was on its way, we knew there was no other option than to go in,” Charlotte says.

“At times like that, you don’t even think about your own safety. All you think is, ‘what will happen to the victim if I don’t go in.’”

The pair of cops entered the property to find a ‘petrified’ woman inside.

 

Charlotte Pateman at the start of her career.

 

Charlotte said: “Lauren was bottled by the offender - which I will forever feel guilty about. She had to have her head glued but, fortunately didn’t sustain any long-term injuries.

“Our colleague turned up and detained him, managing him to prevent the man from hurting anyone else

She continued: “While being a response officer was one of the hardest jobs that came with the longest hours, it was definitely one of the most enjoyable, fun and rewarding.”

Charlotte became a Federation representative in 2007, before becoming health and safety lead in 2010 and then, 10 years later, being appointed as branch secretary - and self-proclaimed ‘work wife’ to chair Sam Dobbs - three years ago. 

She said: “Sam and I share the same values, while challenging one another and complimenting each other. It’s non-stop working in the Federation, but having Sam and the team by my side, definitely makes it easier,” says Charlotte, who admits to ‘massively missing’ her time on the front line as a police officer, being operational.

Justice

“What drives me in this role? Justice and fairness.

“I think the core values of a police officer and a Fed rep are the same - but you’re just supporting different people. As a Fed rep, you’re looking out for your colleagues, fellow cops, which in some ways, makes me more invested. We know how much our members have to lose - it’s not just their job, but their livelihood too.”

Commenting on modern-day police officers and the challenges that present themselves, Charlotte says the biggest is the ‘lack of respect members of the public have for cops’.

“Violence against police officers is out of hand and not acceptable,” she said.

“These people are giving up their Christmas, birthdays, kids’ birthdays, to patrol the streets and protect the public, yet they are regularly abused by the public. It’s horrific.

Abuse

“I think the abuse officers face, higher expectations from the public, greater demand on cops and the lack of experience on the front line, all results in a lack of community spirit - and that’s really sad.”

Charlotte ended by saying how proud she continues to be of her time as a police officer.

“I’m so proud of the career I’ve had. I’ve seen more trauma than I care to remember - some of which stays with you every single day - but I’ve loved my time in the Force,” she said.

“It’s the people I’ve met over the last 20 years that have made my career. I’ve met some amazing people and have found friends for life. I wouldn’t have got through my career without so many of my colleagues.”

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