New Fed rep’s passion to create a fair workplace

12 November 2024

One of the latest workplace reps to join the team has told that her passion for creating a ‘fairer workplace’ inspired her to take on the role.

Sergeant Laura Deal, 49, joined the Force in 2003. Alongside her role as a response officer in Beccles, she regularly spent her rest days training with the firearms team - fulfilling her dream of becoming a qualified firearms cop in 2009.

“I’d always wanted to be a firearms officer - and although I was there if they needed me, I was never deployed,” said Laura, adding: “I’d always been a bit of a tomboy. I was never the little girl playing with dolls - I was the one hanging around making mud pies."

After having her first child, a daughter called Emma, Laura returned to the role, part-time.

Sergeant Laura Deal.

“I stayed in response for around 13 years, before becoming a tutor in 2016,” recalled Laura, who spent the next three years supporting students with their learning and development.

And after joining the neighbourhood team in 2019, Laura was promoted to sergeant in 2021.

She decided to join Suffolk Police Federation’s team of workplace reps in September this year.

Misconduct

Laura’s aspiration to become a Fed rep stems from her own experiences, which includes raising a grievance herself in the past and being a victim at a misconduct hearing.

“I felt held back by the system when I was trying to get my voice heard,” explained Laura, a mum-of-two.

“And I don’t want anyone else to feel that way.

“I really don’t like unfairness, and I’m passionate about everyone being treated fairly - whoever they are - whatever role they have, whatever gender they are and whatever race they are.”

Determined to give others a voice, Laura is hoping to ‘make a difference’ in her role as Fed rep.

“I want to give others a voice - even if it’s a little voice. I just want to make a difference and support others.”

Challenge

And now her children are well into their teens, Laura - who admits juggling parenting and policing is a ‘challenge’ - says she has more time to invest in being a Fed rep.

“I also want to really support student officers,” she continued, adding: “And be honest with them. I think honesty and transparency are key, especially when you’re just starting out as an officer.”

Laura said that ‘more than ever’, police officers need that additional Federation support.

“I’ve been an officer for nearly 22 years - it’s a tough job,” she said.

“Having a Fed rep on the other end of the phone can make all the difference. You can really see just how grateful members are when you support them through a process, lend them a shoulder to cry on or give them a listening ear.”