Notts police recruits first female Muslim officer

NAZIA Kauser has made Notts policing history.

She is the first female Muslim officer in the force's history.

The Sneinton-born 26-year-old was sworn in last month, fulfilling a dream she has held since she was just 11.

"I felt overwhelmed. I took pride in saying the words to the policing oath. It brought tears to my eyes," she said.

A Nottingham Trent University graduate, Miss Kauser spent a year working as a personal assistant in Notts police's sexual exploitation and online investigation unit at Oxclose Lane police station in Arnold and was a custody clerical officer at Nottingham Bridewell, the busiest police custody suite in Europe.

"My time as a clerical officer made me realise what policing was all about," she said.

"I had applied to become a police officer in Derbyshire because Notts police were not recruiting and was expecting to start there in January. I was then told Notts were recruiting and Derbyshire allowed me to transfer my application.

"I was really pleased as I know the area and people here. I wanted to start my policing career in an area I felt comfortable in."

Miss Kauser is in her fifth week of her initial 24-week officer training course at the force's Hucknall training school.

She is spending a week at The Deaf Society in Hyson Green next month to learn more about community policing issues.

She added: "It's a lot of hard work. I want to keep my head down and get on with my first two years."

Miss Kauser said she was aware she would now be seen as a role model to other Muslim women.

"In the first two weeks after I became a police officer I thought I had to act in a certain way, but not now.

"I feel privileged and honoured to be the first female Muslim police officer in Notts. If my being here encourages other Muslim women to join the force, that's great.

"I think others may have thought about joining but not seen another Muslim woman in the job and were put off by that. Now I have done it I will be able to offer others advice and support."

guy.woodford@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk