International Women’s Day 2025: Meet GMP’s top female cop
The article highlights the career of Assistant Chief Constable Stephanie Parker of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in celebration of International Women’s Day 2025. It details her 25-year journey in policing, her roles in child protection and public protection, and her recent promotion to Assistant Chief Constable. ACC Parker emphasizes the importance of supporting vulnerable people, the evolution of women's roles in policing, and encourages women to join the force, citing the support and opportunities available.
Greater Manchester’s Top Female Officer Marks 25 Years Protecting Vulnerable Women and Girls
Assistant Chief Constable Stephanie Parker, Greater Manchester Police’s most senior female officer, has dedicated her 25-year career to protecting vulnerable people, particularly women and girls. As the force celebrates International Women’s Day today (8 March 2025), ACC Parker reflects on her journey from a 21-year-old response officer to one of the region’s top policing leaders.
Parker’s policing career began at Astley Bridge in Bolton after she graduated from university, where she had volunteered as a special constable. “As soon as I got my degree, I successfully applied to join GMP. I was 21 when I joined and I’ve been here for 25 years,” she said. Her progression through the ranks included moving to the Child Protection Investigation Unit in 2003, promotion to Sergeant there in 2010, and later managing the Public Protection Investigation Unit as Detective Inspector in Manchester North Division. She returned to Bolton as Detective Inspector in CID in 2019 before becoming Chief Superintendent and District Commander, and ultimately Assistant Chief Constable in September 2024.
Now responsible for protecting vulnerable people through what she describes as “very harrowing and challenging” cases, Parker sees her role as bringing these critical issues to the forefront of policing. “I see it as my duty to bring these issues to the forefront of policing - and ensuring that our frontline officers are fully trained and equipped to understanding the complexities whilst having compassion and expertise to deal with vulnerable people,” she stated.
The veteran officer has witnessed dramatic changes for women in policing throughout her career. “Over the course of the past 25 years, I have witnessed the role of women in the police grow and evolve. From the barriers female officers faced historically, there are now absolutely no limits on what women can achieve in the police, both in terms of rank and specialist roles,” Parker noted. She encourages women from all backgrounds to join the force, emphasizing that “there is so much support out there for women in the police, at every step of the process and throughout your career - it will be the best decision you make.”
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