FEMALE police officers in Scotland will be given advice on career advancement ideas at a two-day conference by a number of highly-accomplished colleagues on self-realisation in a historically male-dominated sphere – the Scottish Police Service.
The Scottish Women's Development Forum will hold its fourth annual conference at the Scottish Police College (Tulliallan) this Friday and Saturday.
This will feature female police officers and police staff of varying ranks and roles in Scotti
sh and UK forces and the Scottish Police Services Authority as well as Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill, and HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary Paddy Tomkins.
Fife Constabulary's Chief Constable Norma Graham, Scotland's first female chief constable, will open the conference, followed by Kenny MacAskill and Paddy Tomkins.
A Scottish Police Federation Overview will be given by Constable Jackie Muller of Lothian and Borders Police with an update on the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency by Deputy Director-General Johnny Gwynne.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill said: "I am delighted to be addressing the Women's Development Forum conference. The Forum has been instrumental in progressing and promoting gender equality within the Scottish Police Service. They must take credit for many of the achievements so far, and I am fully aware of their commitment to achieving a great deal more in the future.
"The Scottish Police Service is making real progress in breaking the glass ceiling at all levels of our police forces from new recruits to senior appointments. The appointment this week of a female DCC (Deputy Chief Constable) to the Tayside force and the appointment earlier this year of Scotland's first female chief constable sends out a message that talented women can and do have real opportunities to advance in our police service."
WDF chair, Inspector Jacqui McIlwraith, Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, said: "The WDF continues to work in partnership with ACPOS, implementing the 'ACPOS Gender Agenda Action Plan', which aims to encourage a more equitable work place. The annual conference serves as a stimulating event for delegates, whom we hope will be inspired by the speakers as well as a means of attracting national attention to this important area of work."
Effective communication styles, goals setting – and achieving them – networking skills and improving negotiating and influencing skills are among the workshop topics being offered on Friday, complemented by a panel interview and plenary session on Saturday morning.
Showing that a 'glass helmet' can sometimes hold back a female officer from breaking the 'glass ceiling' will be explored by panel members made up of police officers and police staff at the Saturday morning panel interview entitled 'Breaking the Mould', led by BBC Scotland Journalist, Shereen Nanjiani. Among the panellists will be:
* Detective Chief Inspector Jacqui Rennie, Head of Drugs and Specialist Services, Central Scotland Police;
* Dr. Kranti Hiremath, Police Force Forensic Medical Examiner, Fife Constabulary;
* Charmaine Joliffe. Police Administrative Assistant, Strathclyde Police;
* Detective Sergeant Tom Carty, N Division Domestic Abuse Unit, Strathclyde Police; and,
* Chief Superintendent Caroline Scott, N Division Commander, Strathclyde Police.
The thrust of the panel discussion will be to inspire all attending the conference by listening to, questioning and talking with others who have endured and/or gained success in roles which may not have been typical in the past in the Scottish Police Service.
Topping it all off on the Friday evening will be an Awards dinner at which staff who have excelled or made a significant mark will be given special recognition. Award categories include Leadership, Community Service, Mentoring, Excellence in Performance, Bravery, (commitment to) Wellbeing of Women as well as demonstrating Outstanding Service.
