Leicestershire swimmers set to make splash at national police championships

A team from Leicestershire are preparing to dive into a national event which sees policing’s best swimmers and water polo players compete.

Thirteen officers and staff members from across the force are set to take part in the Police Sport UK (PSUK) Swimming and Water Polo Championships in Liverpool this weekend.

Among those participating for Leicestershire are two of the country’s most successful police competitors – with a total of more than 39 years of sporting success at a national level – a handful of officers making their national swimming debut, as well as a staff member who overcame her fear of water and now lives with a life size cut out of triple Olympic gold medallist Adam Peaty.

Held over two days (22 and 23 April), the PSUK games showcase representatives from UK police forces who compete in more than 30 races and at least six water polo matches.

For Superintendent Aimee Ramm, this year marks 17 years of swimming competitively for the police – having represented the force and the GB Police swim team since she became an officer in 2006.

She currently holds eight national police records and multiple British, European and world masters’ records. 

Taking part in the water polo competition is PC Vince Greenhill, who this year will be celebrating not only 30 years’ service as an officer but also for representing the force in the sport.

At the age of 60, PC Greenhill had already been playing and coaching the game for 12 years when he joined Leicestershire Police in 1993. Since 2001 he has also been a part of the PSUK team and was recently honoured with a national policing award for his outstanding contribution to the sport.

Making the trip to Merseyside for their first national police swimming competition are four Leicestershire officers – including PC Georgina Adams.

Having previous swimming success as teenager in breaststroke, PC Adams will represent the force in her first national competition in nearly 14 years – competing in the 50m, 100m and 200m style races.

For police staff member Rachel Kitchener this will be her fourth year competing in the games. Her love for the sport came much later in life having had a fear of water since her childhood. With the support of Superintendent Ramm, Rachel was able to overcome her fear and learnt to swim properly six years ago.

The now swimming superfan regularly competes in events and has even been crowned the winner for her age group in the county masters’ competition.

And her new-found love for the water has even spilled over to life outside of the pool - with a tattoo of a mermaid on her arm and a cardboard cut-out of her favourite swimming superstar.

Rachel meeting her real-life swimming idol 

Also attending is Inspector Dave Stevenson, Chair of the Force Sport and Leisure association.

He said: “Myself and the rest of the team are looking forward to the event this weekend and hope all of the teams competing have an enjoyable time.

“Being able to enjoy a hobby outside of work is really important and for those interested in sport or leisure activities the association offers so many opportunities for officers and staff to get involved in something they enjoy with colleagues from across the force.”