Chief Constable Broke Down Every ‘Glass Barrier’
To celebrate International Women’s Day, a former Chief Constable at Cambridge Police tells how she broke down every ‘glass barrier’ that exists to women succeeding in the world of policing.
The empowering talk, ‘Putting building blocks in place to get to where you want to…now and beyond’ was delivered by Julie Spence OBE on Friday 7th March 2014 at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford Campus.
Julie Spence delivers talk
Throughout her 32 year service in various chief officer ranks, she was always one of very few women in such roles.
She made sure that a greater number of women entered the police service, and ensured that women within the various forces were encouraged to succeed in all roles regardless of sexual orientation or ethnicity.
In this talk Julie discussed her childhood, early career to being chief constable, planning for retirement and how redundancy can be a good opportunity to change your career path and go further.
Julie also spoke about how women wearing trousers ‘was a fight’ and how being married was seen as a barrier in the Force.
Here she comments on women in policing in 2014, “Women are a significant force to be reckoned with. They permeate the whole rank structure in reasonably numbers, but not yet where there is true equality. But, the whole road is really bright and with 26% women in the Force it’s in a significant place.”
Nick Alston said: “It is essential that everyone is given the opportunity and the support to make the most of their talents, in all organisations, including the police service. In Essex Police, former Assistant Chief Constable Sue Harrison and Assistant Chief Constable, Julia Wortley, who is currently serving as a chief officer, have broken through any glass ceiling.
“As PCC, I’m committed to encouraging Essex Police to maximise the talents of officers and staff, with as diverse and talented a workforce as possible in all roles and ranks.”
Julie was awarded the OBE in 2006, shortly after being appointed chief constable of Cambridgeshire, and in the same year she received a Business in the Community Champion Award for her ‘Outstanding commitment and achievement’ in her role as gender champion.
