I’m no older than she is and I don’t feel that much more experienced. But it’s important. There’s a strong argument for suggesting that sergeant is the most important supervisory rank in policing. In my experience, a good skipper is absolutely indispensable. He or she sets the standards, the culture, the tone, the level of expectation and the appetite for work. There’s just no substitute for high-quality frontline leadership – feet on the street, not tucked under a desk.

