Katie Struttman has been awarded the Student Officer Chief Constable Award 2025!
Katie, 38, and a proud mum of three, currently works within the Domestic Abuse Team (DAT) in Stockport, but her GMP journey began long before this. She joined GMP in 2006 with the ambition of becoming a police officer. At the time, there were no officer vacancies, so Katie chose to gain valuable policing experience in staff roles. She started as a Custody Detention Officer, later progressed to become a Chief Superintendent’s Personal Assistant, and eventually served as a Crime Scene Officer.
When talking to Katie about her award she described how her dream of becoming an officer never faded. In 2022, after having her third child she decided it was time to take the leap of faith and become a student officer, applying for the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) route.
Katie is an excellent example of an officer says DS Rebecca Jones when nominating her for this award. Katies passion for the job is shown clearly through her hard work and learning mentality, she is always willing to face challenges head on.
Before joining the Domestic Abuse team, Katie spent over 12 months in uniform. Combined with her previous experience as police staff, this has given her a broad and valuable depth of knowledge across the force.
Katie is an empathetic and resilient member of the Domestic Abuse Team who creates a safe and supportive environment for victims. She listens actively and communicates clearly, helping individuals understand their options without feeling overwhelmed. Her calm and reassuring approach builds trust, while her discretion ensures sensitive information is handled with integrity.
She combines emotional strength with quick decision-making, assessing risk effectively and prioritising victim safety. Katie’s understanding of domestic abuse dynamics allows her to provide tailored support to people from all backgrounds. Even under pressure, she remains composed and works collaboratively with partner agencies to deliver the best possible care and protection.
More recently, in March this year 2025 a woman was reported missing from hospital with a concern for her physical and mental wellbeing. She was a high-risk domestic abuse victim, and her son was on remand for offences against her. Katie heard this over the radio and although she was not working on response that day, she turned out to search for her with other officers. Katie’s relationship with the woman meant that she knew of her vulnerabilities and her possible whereabouts finding her in a matter of hours and returning her to the care of the hospital.
Katie really has a ‘Team Stockport’ mentality.
Policing offers opportunities for individuals from all walks of life, provided they bring a strong work ethic and commitment to public service. Katie is an example of this. A dedicated professional, she balances her demanding role with family life as a mother of three and a wife to a serving police officer, yet her personal responsibilities never compromise the quality of service she delivers.
Katie’s determination goes far beyond her daily responsibilities. She recently graduated from the University of Salford with her PCDA, even submitting her dissertation ahead of schedule. In addition, she is already preparing for the next stage of her policing career by revising for her detective and sergeant exams – further demonstrating her commitment and drive to succeed.
Katie Struttman, Police Constable, said: “Receiving the award was an honour, I am so proud to be reward doing something I enjoy.
“I love my job!
“I couldn’t recommend policing as a career more, if you are thinking about it, do it. It feels amazing to help keep communities safe and support vulnerable people.”
