Being a woman in a leadership position can be a challenging environment - one that even I didn't expect.

The level of scrutiny can be more intense if you’re a woman and your views scrutinised in a way which is rarely replicated if you’re a man. I have seen how our female MPs are treated differently by their constituents and the media ... I get called 'that woman', dismissed because of my sex and even subjected to sexual harassment from people who have written into my office with inappropriate letters.

As a female leader in public life, I am bound by the Nolan principles which were introduced many years ago to uphold standards in public life. Sadly, adherence to such standards is not always upheld by everyone and this damages public confidence and reputations. For instance, I had to make a formal complaint recently against a male councillor for an inappropriate line of questioning in an open meeting.

Regular readers of this column may know that I’m actively supported by a small team of staff led by two statutory officers, a Chief Executive and a Treasurer, both of whom are exemplary female leaders in their own right. In fact, I’m proud to say that we believe we’re the only all-female leadership team of a PCC office in England.

At a time when holders of public office at all levels across the UK are experiencing unprecedented levels of threat, harassment and abuse, it’s beholden on all of us to call out and tackle behaviours that are improper, indecent, sexist and undignified, wherever they occur. Unfortunately, I’ve needed to report such inappropriate behaviour on a number of occasions recently and will continue to do so whenever I witness inappropriate behaviour.

Some of you may know that I recently appointed my first Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner in Mark Kingscote. This is an appointment where I can select an individual who aligns to my views and who can deputise for me where appropriate. It’s a role unlike any other in political life and is full-time with a salary. I have appointed Mark to support me for at least the next twelve months and I’m pleased to say that he’s already getting to grips with his new role across the Devon and Cornwall policing area.

Many Commissioners have a deputy to support them, due to the scale of the role and the myriad responsibilities bestowed on us through legislation. Deputy Commissioners are also an essential part of business continuity. As the largest two-county police force in England, the Police and Crime Commissioner role for Devon and Cornwall is significant and I have managed without a deputy for as long as possible. But now I believe that the public deserve the level of focus and engagement at street level that I can only offer with my deputy beside me.

It’s now twelve years since Police and Crime Commissioners were introduced and there’s still misinformation and misunderstanding - from the public and politicians alike - about the nature and remit of the role. Put simply, all Commissioners are there to represent the voice of the public in policing and to hold their Chief Constable to account. We are responsible for all of the police funding in our areas (for Devon and Cornwall this is a budget of £405M), including the ownership of the police estate and the majority of equipment and associated assets.

Sadly, Commissioners also have a role to play when there are tragedies and public disorder. Only last week, the senseless deaths in Southport and subsequent riots in Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Belfast, Rotherham, Hull, Bristol and other locations across the UK, serve to remind us all just how fragile our society is. Despite the fact that Devon and Cornwall remains one of the safest regions in the country (and thankfully we have not seen the same unrest locally), I know only too well the responsibilities of public office at such times, as we’re shortly approaching the anniversary of the tragic shootings in Keyham, Plymouth, back in August 2021.

This horrific event will be forever etched into the collective mindset of Plymouth. My thoughts, as always, are with the families of those who died and the brave emergency services who had to deal with the aftermath of this event. Former PC Zac Printer, who upheld his duties above and beyond on that tragic day, was one of the first to ever be awarded the King's Gallantry Medal.

Our police forces have much to face today with the unrest that is unfolding across the country. And here in Devon and Cornwall, our police force has helped other areas who’ve seen this unrest. We must continue to stand by the side of our officers, all over the country, who do their utmost every day to maintain law and order on our streets and in our homes.

It hardly needs saying, but we all have a part to play in keeping our society safe. It’s my belief that respecting all those in our community who uphold a strong sense of public service and compassion, whatever their role, will be vital to our future success as a society.