Prime Highlights-
⦁ Chief Superintendent Emma Garside received the Women in Policing Award in recognition of her contribution to the force and support for women in policing.
⦁ The honour comes as she prepares to retire after 30 years of service, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Key Facts-
⦁ Garside currently serves as head of custody and criminal justice at Thames Valley Police.
⦁ She led major initiatives during her career, including the Safer Schools Initiative and the first all-female command team for a Local Policing Area in 2021.
Background-
Chief Superintendent Emma Garside of Thames Valley Police has received the Women in Policing Award at the Thames Valley Police Federation Bravery Awards, recognizing her contribution to the force and her efforts to support women in policing. The honour comes as she prepares to retire this month after 30 years of service.
Garside, who serves as head of custody and criminal justice, said the recognition came as a surprise and credited her colleagues for their support. She described policing as a team effort and said the award reflects the work of many people who have contributed over the years.
During her career, she led several key initiatives, including work with the IRIS Team in Oxford, the Safer Schools Initiative in Oxfordshire, and the rollout of the Youth Witness Protocol and Specialist Domestic Violence Courts. In 2021, she also led the first all-female command team for a Local Policing Area at West Oxon and Cherwell.
Reflecting on her time in the force, Garside said she valued making a positive difference and being part of what she called an “amazing blue light family.” She also highlighted the importance of diversity in teams and said she hopes her journey shows that women can build a career in policing while raising a family.
Colleagues described her as an inspiring leader who supported her teams and encouraged others to grow. The police federation thanked her for her service and said her work has made a lasting impact on the organization.
