Women in Policing to be celebrated at annual awards event

23 February 2022

Nominations for the 2022 Women in Policing Award opened this week and West Mercia Police Federation members are being encouraged to nominate a colleague.

Branch chair Sarah Cooper said the prestigious annual award would give members the chance to celebrate the achievements of colleagues.

She said: “The last 12 months have been challenging for a variety of reasons so it is important that we are given the opportunity to recognise all that is good about policing and why we do the job.

“I would urge our members to make sure they get their nominations for the Women in Policing Award in before the deadline at the end of March. Each and every day, officers are doing exceptional things so it really should not be too hard to find an officer who you feel is worthy of particular recognition.”

The annual Women in Policing Award was launched by the Police Federation of England and Wales in 2015 to recognise a serving or recently retired officer who has gone above and beyond their job while on duty. 

The first Women in Policing Award was presented to the families of Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes, the two Greater Manchester Police officers killed in a gun and grenade attack in 2012.

Last year's winner Sharon Baker with Iain Prideaux, then chair of Avon and Somerset Police Federation

The winner of the 2021 award was Chief Inspector Sharon Baker of Avon and Somerset who spoke out about her experience of domestic abuse and being in a controlling relationship.

Nominations for the 2022 awards can be made by police officers or police staff and the closing date is 28 March. The nominations must explain how an officer has made an impact on, and a significant contribution to, women in policing.

Members can email West Mercia Federation to make their nominations and all nominees will receive a certificate and a Women in Policing badge.

The winner will be announced at the Police Federation’s annual national conference in Manchester in May.