What is the reality of working as a female in public safety? The answer to that question largely depends on where you live and work. We sat down with three successful women in policing to hear more about their careers and the challenges they have faced.

Meet Fiona Wynne

Fiona Wynne is a Detective Inspector in Yorkshire, England, who “joined (policing) in an era when women officers were issued with a handbag and a tiny baton to fit in it.”

Today, Wynne’s agency has a more balanced force in terms of gender demographics. “In my opinion, we are a much more professional service as a result. So much else has changed in 25 years, particularly in how we look after the wellbeing of officers.”

Now as a Detective Inspector, Wynne tries to be a guiding force for other officers. She is constantly encouraging her direct reports to care for their mental and physical wellbeing, and not let work consume them. “It’s something that, as a manager, I’m really mindful of for my staff...it is so important to take time out and to just recharge batteries.”

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Meet Carla Baker

Carla Baker is a Sergeant in Vancouver, Canada who always knew she wanted to go into policing. “There’s no history of policing in my family, although my dad wanted to join (the force).” Baker’s father used to talk to her about the honor of a life in policing, which inspired her to pursue the career herself.

In grade school, she remembers being given a list of jobs and asked to choose a future career. She saw ‘Policeman’ on the list, and thanks to her many talks with her dad, she confidently crossed the profession out. In its place she wrote: ‘Police Woman.’

When she joined the force, she wanted to make a positive impact for other women. “For 6 years I was in the domestic violence unit, my most stressful and rewarding role so far. I was helping women in incredibly difficult situations,” she shared.

During her time in the domestic violence unit, Baker was able to make a true, lasting change on many lives. “One woman had her ex regularly climb up the fire escape to threaten or assault her. Thankfully we managed to get her into new accommodations. On Christmas Eve I received a text saying, ‘thank you for saving my life.’ Moments like that made it easy to get up every day and do the best that I could.”

By all accounts, Baker has been a shining example of a public servant, but she shared it hasn’t always been easy. Baker has a daughter, and sometimes balancing her personal and professional life felt like too much.

Like Wynne, Baker shared the importance of taking time for yourself outside of work. She believes that maintaining a boundary between work and home life not only keeps you and your family healthier, but can make you more effective at work. “Having a life outside the service keeps you balanced when you’re dealing with people in the street, when you’re still in touch with what is going on around you and not just behind the blue line.”

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Meet Mable Chawinga

Mable Chawinga is a Senior Superintendent in Malawi. Chawinga initially didn’t have her sights set on a career in policing. It wasn’t until her sister told her “You need a job that makes you think; you have the talent, you have a critical mind.” She started to truly consider what type of impact she wanted to have.

She decided she wanted to serve her community, and applied to the Malawai Police Service. “At first the Malawi Police Service said I was too short, they wouldn’t take me in. But I kept pushing and eventually I got a letter saying they had changed their minds.”

Chawinga’s sister was able to see her graduate from police training school. Sadly, she passed away shortly after. For Chawinga, it was only motivation to keep going to make her sister proud.

Mable’s dream to be the Inspector General of Police would be a huge step forward for women in policing in Malawi. “Women have traditionally been sidelined in most security activities” she shared. Additionally, women often have trouble being promoted because of regulations on where public safety professionals can work when they are married. “Because I am married, they will say ‘we cannot move you outside the capital city because your husband is there within, within that district.’” But Chawinga is undeterred.

“I’ve had to fight for things for my whole life...That’s how my life has been, always pushing.” For Chawinga, she believes the best is still ahead.

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