LIFE LEADERSHIP LEGACY

Wednesday 8 March – Friday 10 March 2023

Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh

A very warm welcome to delegates from across the United Kingdom and the world for this year’s Women in Policing Conference being held in Edinburgh.

The first physical conference since the pandemic is an important opportunity to meet colleagues, renew friendships and forge new connections under the theme ‘Life, Leadership, Legacy’.

As Chief Constable, I am hugely grateful to the women in policing at Police Scotland.

Inspirational women in policing play a key role serving communities all across Scotland, day in, day out. The provide professional and effective policing for their fellow citizens and drive progress within the service as we build an organisation where everyone can thrive and flourish, knowing they are welcome and valued.

DCC Fiona Taylor QPM will provide an update on the work she leads under our Policing Together initiative while members of our Scottish Women’s Development Forum (SWDF) will also share their knowledge and experiences.

Under the leadership of Clare Hussain, Jenni Stuart and Mo Boyle, the SWDF plays a key role in developing and championing women in policing in Scotland, not least through their impressive photography project.

Members of this crucial staff association continue to demonstrate vital leadership as invaluable critical friends to Police Scotland, strongly committed to the progress the service is making against the challenges we face, whether in culture or service delivery.

Of course, the onus is on all of us in policing to meet those challenges head on. Providing our citizens with a just and effective police service and earning the confidence of women is an operational necessity. Tackling misogyny and sexism in the workplace is our ethical duty to improve the experiences of officers and staff.

Delegates will be updated on work in Scotland and with the National Police Chiefs’ Council across the United Kingdom to continually improve how policing responds to violence against women and girls.

I am grateful to everyone taking part in this essential event in the UK policing calendar. Thank you to organisers, to sponsors and to all delegates. Welcome to Scotland, welcome to Edinburgh.

I wish you a productive and inspiring time in this great city.

Sir Iain Livingstone QPM Chief Constable Police Scotland