Sgt Charlotte Dickens

Joining the police was always something Charlotte Dickens wanted to do from an early age.

Over the past 14 years she has worked in a variety of roles with a real passion to want to make a difference. There is a strong policing thread which runs through her family and was one of the many reasons why she wanted to join.

Being a mother of two young boys and working shifts within a full-time career, Charlotte knew this was going to be challenging but playing such a role has given her a real sense of achievement by serving the community whilst striving to be a great role model for her children.

For the past two years, Charlotte has worked as a Response and Neighbourhood Sergeant within the Charnwood Neighbourhood Policing Area. The latter of these roles was very special as she managed to engage, support and work with many of the people in the local community where she had grown up.    

She has since moved to a role at force headquarters co-ordinating the Volunteers in Policing (VIP) programme which encompasses a wide variety of support from Special Constables, Police Cadets and an array of other volunteers.

As a Beaver leader in her ‘spare’ time, this new policing role is an area which Charlotte has particularly enjoyed as it provides the opportunity to share positive experiences about the police within the community, especially with young people.

She said: “I’ve always loved speaking to and engaging with people. Working in neighbourhoods you get to work really closely with the community”

“You can break down those barriers and put yourself across as more than just a uniform and try to help them and make a difference.

“I’m a mum and people often come to talk to me (as a mum) to understand more about what the role involves as they feel they can relate.”

Charlotte also feels that there is also a real sense of family within her police role through the support provided by colleagues.

“It is a really supportive environment and the people you work with become like family. There also lots of support available. I’m part of the Women’s Inclusive Network at Leicestershire Police which is a great way to share ideas and have a sounding board.

“My message to anyone thinking about a career in policing is go for it. As long as you can speak to people then we can teach you the rest.

“The Police is like 1,000 different careers in one job – it’s so varied and offers all sorts of areas you can go into and specialise.

“There really is something for everybody.”