Ex-police chief calls on UK forces to support Black female staff

17 January 2024 , 09:29

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Karen Geddes is the first Black Female Superintendent of West Midlands Police (Image: WMP)

Karen Geddes, the first Black Female Superintendent of West Midlands Police, has called on the UK’s forces to better support their Black female staff. The trailblazer, a holder of the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM), is a joint-organiser of the ‘Women in the Shade’ conference which takes place in Birmingham next Thursday, January 18. The QPM is awarded for gallantry or for distinguished service.

Geddes said: “This conference is an opportunity for people inside the police, other organisations and our community to come together to ensure Black women continue to have a visible part in the conversation about policing.”

Hosted by Good Morning Britain newsreader Marverine Cole, Women In The Shade boasts a line-up of inspirational speakers including Mina Smallman, the Church of England's first female archdeacon, Windrush solicitor Wendy Williams CBE and Dr Alison Heydari, Programme Director for the Police Race Action Plan for the National Police Chief’s Council.

Marcia Ore has spoken out about the importance of listening to people with different perspectives (Marcia Ore)

Karen Geddes is a joint-organiser of the 'Women in the Shade' conference (Karen Geddes)

Smallman held to account the police officers who took pictures of her slain daughters’ bodies in 2020 and shared them, instead of guarding them. Following the loss of her daughters, she became a vocal advocate for justice. Joining her at the event will be Williams who led the independent inquiry into the Windrush scandal.

The other joint-organiser, Marcia Ore, became an officer in 1982 and, across a 30-year career became Vice-Chair of the West Midlands Black and Asian Police Association. Ore said: "I still deeply believe in policing and the influence it has on society as a role model. Failing to listen to the perspectives of different identities undermines the principles of policing by consent and having the trust and confidence of all those committed to providing a fair and equitable service."

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Women In The Shade is the first pioneering forum of its kind, dedicated exclusively to exploring the experiences of Black women in policing, public sector and uniformed services. It will also provide a safe space for women of colour across the uniformed services to share their stories, discuss the challenges they face and propose solutions,

For further information visit www.thethinblackline.co.uk. The Women in the Shade conference is sponsored by BT.

Darren Lewis