Sussex Police officers awarded for support for female officers working in armed policing

17 November 2022

A Sussex Police officer who is committed to supporting female officers working in armed policing has received an award for Outstanding Contribution to Women in Policing, from the Police Federation.

PC Shelley Dodman has been an armed response vehicle officer (ARVO) for 13 years and became a National Firearms Instructor in 2019. At the time she was the only woman on an instructor team of 30 staff and officers.  

Since then, Shelley has become a Taser Lead trainer and works to support fellow female officers in the force. She represents the Tactical Firearms Unit at open days, where she promotes both the policing service and firearms specialisms in a way that busts myths.

In addition, Shelley has provided Job-Related Fitness Test (JRFT) coaching sessions and informal mentoring to female officers ahead of the firearms selection day. She has also offered JRFT support to colleagues returning to the Unit following extended periods of sickness and maternity leave, with great success.

Shelley is committed to bringing to the fore issues that disproportionately affect female officers, and making them an integral part of all training. She is quick to recognise and address issues including armour fit, loading and weight, and the carriage and shooting positions of police rifles. 

The Federation congratulated Shelley on helping to create an equitable environment in an area of policing that can suffer from male-centric assumptions. It said that Shelley had been pivotal in changing norms and developing firearms training in Surrey and Sussex Police to be more appealing for, and supportive of, female officers.=

Donna Lonsdale, Treasurer and Deputy Chair of Sussex Police Federation, said: “It was a great honour to meet Shelley and present her with this well-deserved Award. It’s officers like Shelley who are helping to shape the future of policing, and we couldn’t be prouder that not only has she been recognised for this in Sussex, but also nationally.”