International Women's Day: Celebrating some of SWP's role models

“I’ve always been inspired by Leeann’s passion to protect vulnerable people, put victims first, and see offenders brought to justice.

“I knew that Leeann had adopted a little girl but was further inspired when I had the privilege of hearing about her adoption journey during an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) session.

“While Leeann was clearly delighted to have become a mum, the process had been long and challenging, and she had not always felt fully supported in the workplace. Yet rather than allow this to bring her down she used her experience to make things better for others, working with various departments to raise awareness and to improve policy, procedures, and practice.

“Leeann has also personally helped colleagues on their path to parenthood, providing practical and emotional support, and is in the process of setting up an adoption network. This speaks volumes about the person Leeann is – positive, caring, inspirational.”

• Carrie-Anne Hayter, senior communications officer

“Michelle joined SWP as a young 18-year-old and throughout her service – during which she performs so many roles whether it’s operations, public order, counter-terrorism, safeguarding or investigations – she has always worked incredibly hard to serve the communities of south Wales.

“Michelle has been a real inspiration to me and our three boys, Owen, Rhys and Lloyd, and I know that she has been a real source of support and inspiration to so many colleagues at SWP.”

• Huw Conquer, Public Protection Unit 

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"Supt Michelle Conquer is my inspiration and very often my motivation.

“As well as being a an operational divisional superintendent, she is a strategic firearms commander and public order commander.

“She has a very busy and demanding day job, where she commands BCU Operations in a huge and challenging BCU and she is often abstracted to various force-wide events due to her skills and abilities.

"Michelle is someone who I see as extremely competent in what she does. What impresses me most is that she does this as a mother to three boys.

“She spends her limited free time running them around to various sporting events and manages a demanding home life alongside a very busy day job. She does all of this while still having time for those she leads and those around her.

“She is an inspiration to other women who want to lead in SWP, while also having a family.”

• Detective Chief Inspector Emma Hampton

“Emma is an inspirational leader and role model to men and women across the force. As both a Silver and Bronze public order and public safety (POPS) commander she has been entrusted with policing some of the most high-profile events in Wales in the past 12 months. 

“She is an inspiration to others in an area which has traditionally been male-dominant and she has significant operational credibility in this regard. Additionally, she is a mother and balances the demands of family life with an exceptionally busy day job in Custody Services.

“She is one of two Emmas I wanted to recognise this IWD – both are extremely committed and capable individuals but also very modest. They lead through their actions not just words and are both people I significantly respect and admire as fellow professionals.”

• Superintendent Esyr Jones 

“Jenna is extremely professional in all aspects of her Work. She is always supportive towards us and nothing is too much trouble for her. She will go above and beyond within a professional capacity to support us in any way she can.

“She is always pleasant and positive and brings a smile to the office whenever she visits us. She always make sure our wellbeing is looked after, and checks in when she is working elsewhere.

“Jenna will always make herself available to talk whether personal or for advice on a work-related matter, and the outcome is always positive. If she hasn’t got the answers at the time, she will always make sure she does all she can to get them.

“Jenna is our inspirational super woman and she is a pleasure to work with.”

• Alison Davies and fellow station enquiry officers

“Emma is an inspirational leader and role model, predominantly in the detective world.

“She is a competent and committed individual who has performed investigative and safeguarding roles across two BCUs (local authority/ divisional areas) all the while leading on home front as she balances the demands of a busy BCU DCI with raising two teenage daughters. 

“Emma is a natural leader and has done so from a young age, having been entrusted to train new recruits in the army in her previous occupation before joining the police. 

“She is one of two Emmas I wanted to recognise this IWD – both are extremely committed and capable individuals but also very modest. They lead through their actions not just words and are both people I significantly respect and admire as fellow professionals.”

• Superintendent Esyr Jones 

“Hannah’s always been one of the most positive members of the department, but I’ve genuinely been in awe of how she’s dealt with the last few months.

“Last year she was diagnosed with rare, incurable lung cancer at such a young age and while her much-anticipated wedding was just around the corner.

“While I imagine many of us would crumble at such news, she’s faced it with incredible courage, determination and positivity.

“She found out at a time she was going for a promotion, and not only continued with the process and was successful, but she’s taken on the role with total enthusiasm, and I know her team are full of admiration for her.

“Hannah’s not let her treatment get in the way of her living her life – she was was a life-lover before her diagnosis and she remains so now. She lives it to the full and I’ve no doubt that her outlook has served her well as she’s undergone treatment.

“I’m inspired by the way she’s taken it all in her stride, and I’m over the moon for her that she’s recently found out that her treatment is working and the cancer is under control.”

• Carys Lewis, senior communications officer

“Kelly is inspirational in many ways; she has a cheerful attitude, a calm presence, and a can-do attitude. She is extremely dedicated to her role and often gives up her free time to ensure her staff are looked after, she is always available and on-hand if needed by any of us.

“Kelly has an extremely high work ethic which sets a fantastic example to her team, other colleagues, and the public who she has contact with.

“On a personal level, Kelly has been a huge support to me over the many years I have known her, and this has been more evident over the past few months whilst I have adjusted to a new work environment which has brought some challenging changes for me.

“Thank you Kelly for your ongoing support.”

• Helena Morgan-Phillips, station enquiry officer

“Sam deserves recognition due to her being a mother-like figure for everyone in Pontardawe NPT.

“She personally took me under her wing when I joined as a PCSO in November 2020 and I look to her for her support and guidance still, as she has been in the job for over 17 years.

“Sam is a very caring person and ensures everyone is looked after and well-fed – she regularly brings in food for us all, which we all love!

“Sam won’t like the attention, but I believe she is totally deserving of the recognition.”

• PCSO Tegan Collins