Emma is named Employee of the Month

10 January 2022

Suffolk Police Federation workplace representative Emma Arthurs has been named as the Force’s Employee of the Month in recognition of her work in support of colleagues diagnosed with cancer.

Emma had breast cancer in 2017 and underwent several surgeries. She has been tumour-free since September of that year.

In the years that followed her own cancer journey, Emma became the Force’s cancer single point of contact (SPOC) and has gone above and beyond to passionately support colleagues who have received their own diagnosis.

She is driven by a desire to ensure they get the support and advice she felt was severely lacking when she was ill.

“It is always an honour to be able to help anyone of the policing family. It’s a bit frightening when you get a diagnosis and so I wanted to turn my experience into something positive that could help those diagnosed or caring for family members with cancer,” said Emma.

That help has certainly been appreciated.

One fellow officer said: “I would like to place on record my thanks to Emma Arthurs. It was odd as a rep asking for Federation support for the first time in my career, but I have to say Emma has been superb – her humour, knowledge and tough love have made a massive difference to me and my outlook in the early, distressing days.

“I can’t stress enough how important it has been for me to have Emma to lean on, a person who can talk frankly from first-hand experience, and share experiences of her own journey. I know I am only at the beginning of a long, painful journey but I have the confidence that with Emma’s support I will remain positive and focussed.”

Another remarked: “Had it not been for Emma and my managers, I would have no professional support at all.”

Emma, a PC in the very busy South Professional Development Unit, also serves as a workplace Federation rep and is the branch equality lead.

Branch chair Darren Harris said: “Emma is fully deserving of this Employee of the Month accolade. Much of this support she gives to colleagues is in her own time and she is the go-to person for anything to do with cancer or how to access support for those suffering with or caring for someone with a diagnosis.

“She has had a positive impact on many lives and she is always there for people who are often at their lowest ebb.”