Wed 26 Oct 2022
Kent Police Temporary Chief Superintendent Tracey Quiller (left) and strategic hate crime lead Kulbir Pasricha (right) on role models, support networks and female leadership
By Murielle Gonzalez
Women make up around 40% of recruits in the police forces nationally, and this uplift in the proportion of women coming into policing provides an opportunity to translate into more women at different ranks and specialist roles. For women in policing today, this is becoming a virtuous circle of being able to see what you can achieve.
Temporary Chief Superintendent Tracey Quiller and strategic hate crime lead Kulbir Pasricha of Kent Police might not have similar lived experiences, but they share a vision for women in the force. Both agree that support networks, role models and putting yourself forward are integral to becoming the leaders they want to be.
Pasricha, born in Middlesex and from parents with Sikh background (they came from India in the early 70s), revealed that joining the police wasn't a career that her family or community had in mind for her but a personal decision. "I wanted to be a role model, to make a positive change to policing and be part of a legacy," she said, reflecting on how racism and bullying that affected her family in their younger years made her stronger and determined to make a change. "It comes down to the values that my parents taught me: the only way to success is hard work, determination and being part of the change you wish to see in the world. Hence, remaining authentic is part of my DNA.”
She joined Kent Police in 1998 after building a career in the NHS – from a personal assistant to an HR/recruitment manager. She studied for her HR Qualifications in the evenings and maintained her accreditation.
At Kent Police, Pasricha is making a positive difference sometimes through discretionary roles; she was the first police staff employee to be a Family Liaison Officer in the country, a role historically police officers would carry out.
Over the years, she has served as Area Diversity Manager, Domestic Abuse & Hate Crime Manager, Community Engagement & Hate Crime Manager, also covering Stop and Search. These roles have required her to be visibly accessible to colleagues, partnership organisations and the diverse communities in Kent & Medway.
"I've always taken responsibility for my continuous personal development," she said, noting the knowledge and transferable skillset from discretionary roles have helped her to thrive and reach her potential.
To that end, Pasricha is also a Trauma Risk Incident Management Practitioner and Kent Police Critical Incident Advisor around harmful practices and actively participates with Staff Support Associations. She recognises intersectionality is important to provide the best support to colleagues and help them be the best they can be. “The diversity of our differences gives police the strength and creativity to provide better outcomes for everyone,” she noted.
Equally passionate, Temporary Chief Superintendent Quiller has reached the top ranks of Kent Police with determination. She joined the force in 1998 and was promoted to sergeant after two-and-a-half years of service. "I joined Kent Police with the ambition of being promoted as quickly as possible," she explained. Other promotions followed quickly, and in just over 10 years of service, Quiller had become a Chief Inspector.
"I always knew I wanted to have children, and I always knew I wanted to be in a supervisory rank before I had them, as I thought it might be easier to achieve a better work-life balance. So, I had my first child when I was an inspector and my second when I was a Chief Inspector. Looking back now, every rank and role has its unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to finding a balance," she said.
The only one in the room
Pasricha knows what it feels like to be the only one in the room and has a strategy and reasons to be seen, valued and considered.
"When I attend a meeting, I scan the room to see the representation around the table. There have been occasions where I am the minority in terms of intersectionality – because of gender, disability or ethnicity – but also as a police staff employee," Pasricha said, noting she believes the sky is the limit.
"My motto is to turn adversity into opportunities. We need to be part of the conversation and put ourselves forward," she said. Pasricha represents Kent Police at Regional and National meetings and is proud to have been chosen to be a judge again this year at the National No2H8 Awards.
Pasricha continued: "I may not use all the strategic words or acronyms which some colleagues may use, but at least I will contribute based on my knowledge, experience and lived experiences. This is important. We must remember that you must be there to make the first step."
The sentiment is similar for Temporary Chief Superintendent Quiller. Whilst she recognised never felt isolated, there have been times when she has been the only female in a cohort of peers or the only female member of a Senior Leadership Team. On reflection, she notes this is improving. Her current SLT sees three senior female leaders amongst a group of eight. However, Quiller recognised more work should be done to support women to recognise and achieve their potential.
"[Police] is male-dominated, but I've never really felt in complete isolation or a minority," she said. "I have had great opportunities I may not have had if I wasn't a female, such as attending the College of Policing’s Aspire senior leadership development programme and, more recently, the Senior Leadership Development Centre.
"However, in general terms, the biggest challenge we still see across policing nationally relates to self-imposed barriers, such as lack of confidence or self-belief. There are also some stubborn organisational barriers to supporting women through periods of personal change, such as caring for other relatives, pregnancy, maternity and the returning to work period, or menopause."
She continued: "These circumstances are unique to every individual, which means we sometimes don't get it right. That's quite challenging. Back in 2007, I was the only Inspector and the only Chief Inspector to ask for reduced hours working. I had to pave my way and negotiate how things could work, and prove the concept.
“There were tweaks along the way, but I found a good compromise which supported my circumstances, my professional development and my delivery to the organisation. It wasn’t easy because it was new. However, I was up for it because of my character. I’m competitive and stubborn – if I believe something is right, I'll dig my heels in to achieve it!"
Role models
Quiller and Pasricha believe gender balance within organisations is important at all grades and functions because it represents the community they serve. And both have contributed to that end.
"I pushed the envelope at both Inspector and Chief Inspector level to ensure it worked for me at the time, but it wasn't necessarily only about me. It was about somebody else not having to overcome the challenge," said Quiller. "Breaking barriers that will help women to come forward behind me is something I feel proud about." True to her conviction, Quiller is chair of the Kent Police Network of Women, supporting women from all fronts.
Pasricha concurred. "Role models are important, but to me, we're all role models," she said. "We're all leaders, and we all can make a difference. I believe there's always room to improve and learn. I am inspired and listen carefully to my colleagues, partners, and communities; rank and grade don't come into this."
There's no other place to meet, greet and be inspired by role models than the Professional Women series. The next event, Women in Policing, takes place in London on 16 November with a content-packed agenda.
Quiller, who chaired Women in Policing last year in its virtual setup, recalls the conference's legacy. "It's fascinating to think about women in policing in its widest sense," she said. "It's an opportunity to interact with the likes of Chief Constable Michelle Skeer and listen to her talk about her experience.
“Cath Baxter, who is also at the conference this year, went through some practical tips for presenting in public, which I have put into practice, and people have recognised the difference. "[The conference] is a great opportunity to take yourself out of your comfort zone and grow from there."
Pasricha agreed. Having attended Women in Policing conferences, she is now taking to the stage to share her lived experience, personal growth and advise colleagues on how to make their career in the force work for them.
"I was at the Manchester, London conference and the online event during the pandemic. I'm honoured and privileged to be asked to be involved this year," said Pasricha. "The conference has helped me to continue to review my potential, and it has given me a better insight to live the experiences of other colleagues in policing from all ranks and grades.
Pasricha said the conference has empowered and inspired her to utilise her broad, transferable knowledge and skillset. “For example, I've noticed some of my female colleagues sometimes question, 'can they do the role?' whereas men approach this differently, thinking about how they can do it. Instead, if you want to be able to make a change or consider changes for yourself, you need to step forward,” she concluded.
Women in Policing 2022 takes place in London on 16 November. Visit the event website to view the agenda and register to attend.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Murielle Gonzalez, content strategy manager at Dods Diversity & Inclusion, is an experienced journalist and editor. She can be reached on murielle.gonzalez@dodsgroup.com.
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