DCC Nolan shares her journey in Essex Police on International Women’s Day, encouraging women to pursue their ambitions.
She had initially considered joining the military. However, policing had no role restrictions for women, making it a more appealing career path for her.
Later in her career, she became Essex’s first female commander, leading the Operational Policing Command. In January, she achieved the position of Deputy Chief Constable.
On International Women’s Day, DCC Nolan shared her story about her career climb. She aims to demonstrate that women are capable of achieving anything they set their minds to.
Early on, she noticed outdated practices, like women being assigned specific tasks. They often ran the tea club and looked after children taken into protection.
She challenged these norms and found people were open to change. Things were done a certain way before, but change wasn’t a conscious decision. Challenge the status quo because this is how you make changes happen.
Two women, Julia Jeapes and Sue Harrison, inspired DCC Nolan. They encouraged her to challenge herself, a message she now shares with others.
She encourages people by asking, “Why not you? Why not now?” Others believed in her ability, which is why she’s in her current position. If you see ability, tell people and let them know they can achieve anything.
Policing is unpredictable and demanding, so it may not suit everyone. She advises people to research the different police roles. It’s key to reflect the communities they serve because different views benefit all areas of policing.
The many policing jobs offer limitless options, including investigator, special ops, or neighborhood policing. She spent her career in operational policing and served as a firearms commander for 15 years.
She worked on amazing jobs that you cannot get elsewhere, and each day in the police force feels different. Although she feels awkward as a role model, she hopes she inspires others.
Ultimately, she wants those who are considering a career in policing to think that they can do this job.