Following the end of tenure of DPA President Tracy Betts, we are pleased to announce that Inspector Andrea Shoetan from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has been appointed as Interim President of the Disabled Police Association.

Andrea comments: “I am honoured to have been elected as interim President of the Disabled Police Association. I hope to honour the hard work and commitment of all previous Presidents as I take the baton.

“I will be working with Tracy Betts, the current President, during this transition to learn as much as I can from her. I want to personally thank Tracy for her inspirational leadership of the DPA for the past two years. Tracy leaves a legacy of essential workstreams she initiated to benefit policing. I will ensure I do this work justice.

“The DPA Committee are euthanistic and driven. I look forward to working together with them to continue to raise the national profile of disability within policing. Supporting our staff and providing adjustments to remove potential barriers benefits everyone: it is a ‘must have’ – not a ‘nice to have’ – it helps with recruitment, retention, and service delivery to the public.

“I am excited about the journey ahead and what we will achieve together.

“Thank you in advance for your support.”

Andrea will remain in post until the 2025 Annual General Meeting, at which time elections will take place for the role of President and positions on the DPA Executive and Committee. ∎