VIDEO: ‘You get used to the abuse and become desensitised’

25 February 2025

PC Zara Basharat says her experience of physical assault and hate crime is not unique to her and that many other officers regularly face the same abuse.

Zara has been subjected to racial slurs and assaults on at least 42 occasions during her five-year career with the Force.

Now she is drawing on her experiences to support colleagues in similar situations and help boost their resilience.

Her work was recognised with the Sam Hughes Inspiration in Policing Bravery Award, supported by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.

It was presented to her at the West Midlands Police Federation Bravery Awards, which were held in Birmingham in January and were sponsored by Slater and Gordon.

Speaking after receiving the award, Zara said: “It’s nice to receive the Sam Hughes award and to be recognised by for the work that you do.

“As I have become used to this abuse, it does make you become desensitised. But when you hear it being read out, it can be quite emotive.

Prayer mat

“I faced more abuse while I was on response and, at its worst, I’ve had my headscarf pulled off, I was told to go back to my prayer mat and someone threatened to burn my headscarf.”

She added: “My experiences aren’t unique. A lot of frontline officers face this every day but we still carry on.”

Zara is helping develop a resilience programme, which includes improving the way supervisors and the organisation support colleagues who are subjected to abuse at work.

She is working with the Force’s Black and Asian Police Association on the programme and has had support from its chair, Chief Inspector Chris Grandison.

She said: “It’s been really positively received, especially on Sandwell local policing area. The senior leadership team are really supportive.”

Diversity

Zara has also met with the Force’s wellbeing lead, Sophie Petrie, to provide feedback about the lack of diversity in the TRiM (trauma risk management) practitioners.

She has stressed the benefits of being able to speak to colleagues from similar backgrounds who would be able to better understand and empathise with a situation.

Zara has shared her experiences of the policing of the Palestine protest with the Gold Commander, which has led to learning being shared with senior leaders.

She now plans to highlight some of her cases where there have been convictions as a deterrent to others.

She said: “What we go through, it needs to be out there more, and more support from supervision and accountability.

“Hopefully, along with the resilience programme and other work, it will have a positive, lasting impact on officer welfare and support.”

WATCH: Main video from the West Midlands Police Federation Bravery Awards night at Tally Ho.