Meet the highest ranking female officer in GMP who started her career in Bolton

Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker started her career as a response officer in Astley Bridge at the age of just 21.

From there she went on to become district commander for Bolton before scaling the heights all the way to her current rank.

ACC Parker said: “Over the years I moved up the ranks, moving into the Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU) in 2003 and I was promoted to Sergeant in CPIU in 2010. 

“I was then promoted to Detective Inspector and stayed in the City of Manchester North Division for three years, managing the Public Protection Investigation Unit. 

ACC Parker is GMP’s highest ranking female officer (Image: GMP) “I moved back to Bolton as Detective Inspector in CID in 2019.” 

Before being promoted to an Assistant Chief Constable in September 2024, ACC Parker was Chief Superintendent and District Commander for Bolton.

Her role now involves protecting vulnerable people, which includes what she says are some “very harrowing and challenging” cases.

But ACC Parker says being able to make a difference to people’s lives “makes it all worthwhile.”

Chief Constable Stephen Watson with ACC Steph Parker (Image: GMP) She said: “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.

“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.

ACC Parker with officers during Operation Avro in Bolton (Image: GMP) “Along with many of my female colleagues, I am proud to have worked tirelessly to ensure that women in the policing family have as many opportunities in their careers as possible.”

One of the key challenges women in the police face is balancing family life with work schedules.

ACC Parker said: “I think policing has come a very long way in the last few years, with mentoring, workplace flexibility and networking opportunities. 

ACC Steph Parker talking with an officer during Operation Avro in Bolton (Image: GMP) “Of course there is still work to be done, but with so many women in leadership positions, there has never been a better time to ensure that policing is held as a benchmark of true gender equality.

“I think that all leaders in policing will have their own unique style of leadership, irrespective of gender.  

“The ability to communicate openly and candidly being a woman can definitely bring different experience to the role, but I do recognise the importance of being the most senior female police officer in GMP, and the example that I can set for future generations of female leaders.”

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With several vacancies open to join the force either as an officer or support staff member, ACC Parker has encouraged women from all backgrounds to put themselves forward.

She said: “Take the plunge, 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. 

“If you have the right values, of fairness, integrity and courage, and if you have the desire to make positive change in the community then policing is the career for you, and there really is no limit to where it could take you.

“There are few careers out there that can match policing for the opportunities it can offer, and the friendships you will make.”