This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Break the Bias’. This is especially relevant to our aim for more female representation in armed policing roles.”
Defence Police Federation Chairman Eamon Keating was speaking on International Women’s Day, an annual event campaigning for a society that’s free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination.
He said that one of the Federation’s core goals was around gender equality and that it supported the aim of recruiting more women into the ranks.
Eamon said: “The Ministry of Defence Police had no female officers when it was established in 1971. A lot has changed since then, with women now working at Constable to Assistant Chief Constable. Our female colleagues have the same kit and the same weapons as male officers.
“But we still have a long way to go when it comes to gender equality. For one, we need to encourage more women to pursue a career in armed policing. And we need to listen to our female members and make sure we are doing all we can to support them if they experience challenges.”
Eamon said that the recent increase in maternity pay was a positive step forward, and that flexibility was needed to retain female officers in their role after they had children.
He added that the Federation was there to support women who experienced harassment or misogyny in the workplace, saying: “Our Federation Reps receive training on the Equality Act, and we are here to support all our female members.”
