VAWG - Policing, Organisation and Practice - Post conference resources

Jess Phillips MP

Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding.

Jess Phillips is a Labour Party politician who became the MP for the constituency of Birmingham Yardley at the 2015 general election.

Jess has committed her life to improving the lives of others, especially the most vulnerable. Before becoming an MP, Jess worked for Women’s Aid in the West Midlands developing services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, human trafficking and exploitation. She became a councillor in 2012, in this role she worked tirelessly to support residents, with her work being recognised when she became Birmingham's first ever Victims Champion.

Since becoming an MP, Jess has continued her fight to support those who need it the most and has earned a reputation for plain speaking since being elected, unfazed by threats and calling out sexist attitudes as she promotes women’s rights and focuses on ending violence against women and girls and on issues of justice and home affairs.

Jess is a bestselling author and has written three bestselling books. Her books focus on demystifying the worlds of politics and activism to encourage others to take back power and control.

Andy Cooke

QPM DL, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and his Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services.

Andy Cooke joined Merseyside Police in 1985 having obtained an Honours Degree in Politics from Nottingham University. He served as a Detective at every rank.

Throughout his career, Andy has had numerous roles including being in charge of the Robbery Squad and Target Operations at the Major Crime Unit. He became the first Commander of the nationally recognised ‘Matrix’ team, responsible for tackling gun and gang enabled crime.

During his time as Area Commander for South Liverpool, Andy was instrumental in significantly reducing crime, antisocial behaviour and disorder and South Liverpool became one of the highest performing Basic Command Units in the country. In 2008, Andy was appointed Assistant Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary where he held the roles of ACC Specialist Operations and ACC Territorial Operations.

He returned to Merseyside in 2012, was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable in 2013 and in 2016 he was appointed Chief Constable. During this time, Andy led the biggest reorganisation in Merseyside Police’s 40 year history. Whilst he was Chief, the Force was graded as the highest performing metropolitan Force by HMICFRS.

Nationally, Andy held some of the highest risk portfolios in Policing. In addition to leading the creation of the United Kingdom Protected Persons Service, he was the national policing lead for serious organised crime and national lead for crime.

Andy has also been commended on 10 occasions and in 2014 was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal. He is a Deputy Lieutenant of the Merseyside Lieutenancy and an Adjunct Professor within the School of Justice Studies at Liverpool John Moores University.

Andy was appointed as HM Inspector of Constabulary and HM Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services in April 2021 where he was the HMI for Northern England and the SRO for PEEL Inspection.

On 1 April 2022 Andy was appointed as HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary and HM Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services. 

Sue Burke

Sue is the CEO of MKACT Domestic Abuse Services for 7 years The organisation provides Domestic Abuse services for the city of Milton Keynes. 

MKACT have been serving the city of MK for 45 years and provide the services of a helpline, refuge, outreach, counselling, perpetrator programme, training and support groups. 

MKACT amazing team consists of 30 staff and 20 volunteers supporting over 2000 people each year who are impacted by Domestic Abuse. MKACT hold the national quality standards from Women’s Aid, Safe Lives and RESPECT living our values of Dignity and Respect, Empowerment, High Quality, Cooperation and Collaboration and Diversity

Samantha Millar

Sam is currently a Chief Superintendent working as the Programme Lead on the National Police Chiefs Councils VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) Taskforce.

Before joining policing, Sam spent time after university as in the army as a young officer. Sam became an accomplished adventurer, was the first female officer to undertake artic warfare survival accreditation, became a ski instructor and even learned how to build igloos! After a tour of duty in Northern Ireland, Sam was awarded the Queens Gallantry Medal, something she would describe as the proudest moment of her service for her family.

Sam started her policing career in West Yorkshire Police in 1993 and transferred to North Yorkshire Police in 2019.  She is an experienced public order commander, a current firearms commander and has recently been nominated for awards around her activity in coaching and mentoring.

Sam joined the police as a graduate entrant, was selected as part of a fast-track promotion scheme, undertaking roles at every rank in operational delivery in some of the most complex and challenging areas within West Yorkshire and Specialist Operation roles. After a short spell as staff officer, Sam’s interest in partnerships saw her head up a large community safety partnership in Leeds in 2014, known as Safer Leeds.  In this role, Sam had strategic responsibility for a range of safeguarding work streams. She has influenced the national agenda around policing street sex working, has held roles as deputy chair of adults and children safeguarding boards and was recognised locally and nationally for her innovative and influential work with her Safer Leeds Team in developing the MASH in Leeds.

In December 2018 Sam completed a master programme with the University of Cambridge in criminology, using it as an opportunity to research and evidence the operational impact of a multi-agency approach to tackling on-street sex working.

Sam is married with three children, having adopted her third child. She is a governor for her children’s local primary school and still retains a passion for skiing and walking in the mountains!