In celebration of #Pride month, we're featuring some of our amazing staff at BTP.
Today we're highlighting Chief Superintendent Chris Casey.
Read his policing journey so far below.
“I joined British Transport Police after University in 2006.
I didn’t see any LGBTQ+ people in senior roles, and I actively had to think about whether I should be open about my sexual orientation. Whether it would inhibit my career or make work-life challenging.
As a gay person who has experience of being a victim of homophobic hate crime adds into making our policing better, which is why representation from across all sections of our communities is so important.
I remember when I joined there was a point where my report of a homophobic hate crime at a train station in a major city was the only one, we had. Of course, I knew if I had experienced it then others had, it perhaps just hadn’t been reported.
I think that’s why it’s so important to have visible members of the LGBTQ+ community within our workforce, both internally and externally. If people know there are people who will understand on the other side of their report, then they’re more likely to talk to us in the first place. I’m really fortunate, I think. I’ve never felt like who I am has held me back or caused any issues within work, and I think that would surprise some people to hear. That’s not to say other people don’t have those experiences and there aren’t pockets of it, but in my 20 years of policing and progressing through the ranks, I haven’t experienced it that way.
If a LGBTQ+ person was thinking of joining us, I would say I’ve found it a brilliant experience, and I’d say the overwhelming majority of leaders in policing – if you did experience any problems – would want to sit down and sort that out.
I’ve now been at BTP for 18 years and things have changed a lot both in my personal life and within the force. I’m now Chief Superintendent of B-Division (London and South England), as well as a husband and a father.
We have a policy here that allowed me six month’s parental leave and a phased return to work after that for a month, in order for us to settle into life as parents. At BTP we have led in making sure our policies are as flexible and inclusive as possible.
Through becoming a Dad where I’ve been able to improve what we do at BTP. As any parent will tell you, your ability to negotiate will improve, as well as the way you handle situations, how to prioritise and balance out responsibilities, which in turn helps me appreciate my colleagues around me as well.”
Want to join us? Click here: https://lnkd.in/eXh5Pxfc
Owner, The Dog Walker (Yorkshire) Ltd, Best Selling Author. Care Experienced, Child Abuse/Trafficking Survivor
3wThis is incredibly inspirational and gives confidence to those who want to join and make a difference in their communities with their experience. 👏🏼