On International Women's Day, two young female police officers have shared their experiences of holding their own in a male-dominated industry, dealing with sexist comments from the public and how they're inspiring the next generation of girls to consider police work.
Police Constables Megan Groome, 23, and Hannah Barrell, 25, both applied to Suffolk Constabulary during lockdown and have been in the force for less than two years, now approaching the end of their probation.
In a traditionally male-dominated industry, they have had the rather unique experience of working in female-heavy teams.
They currently work with a female Inspector, Acting Sergeant and Suffolk Constabulary's first female Chief Constable in its 150 years of existence, Rachel Kearton.
"No matter whether we're a man or a woman, we've all got the same training, we've all got the same equipment," said PC Groome.
"I don't think they even know if we're male or female in the patrol room sometimes, they just send out the closest car and trust that we'll get the job done."
In fact, rather than holding them back in any respect, they say they can use their gender to their advantage.
"You're paired up with another officer for a late shift and it's nice to be put with some of the lads," said PC Groome.
"Sometimes you'll go to a job where a man won't touch us because we're a woman.
"You get the best of both worlds because people have different responses to each of us."
PC Barrell shares just a handful of comments she regularly receives while on a response shift: "Can't she arrest me?
"Oh, I'd love you to arrest me."
"Will you marry me?"
She said: "It's just something you don't listen to.
"You're not going to take issue with it because you have a job to do."
She went on to add that it's not always men making these comments, as some women also make sexist remarks and take issue with her age.
Recently, both officers were called out on a job together where the first thing that was said to the two of them was 'is it just you?'.
The man involved later said there "should have been a man there from the start".
"You just have to bite your tongue sometimes," said PC Groome.
"Just because a male officer might be bigger than us physically, it doesn't make us any less capable in doing the job."
She recalled the first fight she had to become involved in after training school as a "blur", but added: "The last thing you want to do is shy away when your colleagues are getting involved."
PC Barrell echoed this, saying: "It happens so quickly, you just don't have the time to be scared."
The role of women in the police force has clearly changed, something both officers are keen to point out.
"There's never been any situation I've been in where I've been disadvantaged because I'm a woman," said PC Groome.
"Years and years ago, the thought of having a woman police officer would have been really shocking, but that's changed now."
PC Barrell added: "Our male colleagues clearly want us to develop and do well.
"We've never had any opportunities limited to us within the role and that leaves us to get on with the job at hand."
Though they're not even two years into their roles, it is clear that both of these young women are already helping to inspire the next generation.
"I hear from lots of girls who think they'd like to give police work a try," said PC Barrell.
"Women are getting empowered and it's nice to see this change reflected in the force."
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