Speakers

Andrea has been a Police Officer for 20 years and is currently a serving Police Inspector for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary on secondment to the NPCC ESN and Airwave Team (NEAT).

Andrea did not have a disability when she joined the police but developed an incurable health condition that led to hearing loss over time. It was her treatment being made to feel like she was the only cop in the country who wore hearing aids that started her disability advocacy work.

It began in her home force Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary setting up Hear Me, a support network for officers and staff with hearing loss.   Andrea was then asked to join the National Disabled Police Association (DPA) as they were getting lots of enquiries on hearing loss and didn’t have the lived in experience on the committee. Andrea carried out the first ever police national hearing survey in 2024 with recommendations made to forces. 

Andrea was voted in as President of the DPA in April 2025. Andrea undertakes this role on top of her day job and loves nothing more than to help remove barriers nationally to allow people to be the best they can be at work.

Andrea’s message: Ask what someone CAN do not what they can’t.

Andrea will give a National Overview of the work the Disabled Police Association are doing to raise awareness of this often-forgotten protected characteristic. Explaining how disability discrimination is the highest reason for employment tribunals. Getting it right ensures staff are treated fairly and millions of public money is saved.