RCIPS Launches its Women in Policing Network

On Tuesday 18 July, the RCIPS, hosted by Her Excellency the Governor, Jane Owen, launched the Women in Policing Network (WiPN). The event was held at the Government House and was well attended. Amongst the guests present at the event were the Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson, Chief Officer and Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne, Deputy Chief Officer Nancy Barnard, Commandant for the Special Constabulary Arthur McTaggart, Ms. Maria Stanley of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FDCO) and specially invited guests the family of the late Dr. Linda McField, who was a long serving member of the RCIPS Special Constabulary.

WiPN was initiated by UK(FCDO) as part of a project that was implemented to enhance female leadership in the British Overseas Territories (BOT). Planning for the RCIPS WiPN Group started in 2022 with the support of both the FCDO and the Office of the Commissioner of Police (OCP) and was developed by a core working group until the launch which took place last week.

The RCIPS WiPN would like to extend gratitude to the Police Welfare Committee, for their support and commitment to advancing the goals of the WiPN. This launch event was also heavily supported by a committee of staff who worked tirelessly to ensure that the event went smoothly. Thank you also to all the guests who attended and supported this initiative. We encourage everyone to stay tuned to hear more about WiPN in the near future.

“On behalf of the OCP and the RCIPS especially, I would like to thank Her Excellency the Governor Jane Owen for opening her home to us for this momentous event,” says DCO Nancy Barnard, “The event was made even more special to us having being held in such a fitting and beautiful location. I would also like to thank all the guests who attended the launch and supported our initiative to enable, empower and inspire each other to achieve our full potential in a service focused on eliminating discrimination and stereotypes.”

Following the launch of the network, as one of its first actions as a formal network, the RCIPS WiPN hosted a professional development day for civilian staff members, where presentations were made to the group in regards to Development Opportunities, Crime Prevention and Performance Management. These training segments were delivered by the Deputy Chief Officer Nancy Barnard, Sergeant Cornelius Pompey of the Community Police Unit and Chief Inspector Patrick Beersingh of the Leadership and Development Unit.

“It has been a great honour to have supported the RCIPS Women in Policing Network since its inception to this point,” says CO and CoP Derek Byrne, “I would like to express my gratitude to Ms. Stanley and the entire FDCO for their consideration and investment in assisting us at the RCIPS to break barriers and to progress in the service for equity and equality. I look forward to seeing all that the network will achieve in the times to come.”