A spotlight on our Coventry Inspectors: Over 60 years of policing experience

Dear Resident,

With over 60 years combined of policing experience, your local neighbourhood Inspectors are working hard to reduce crime and build safer communities.

Following on from #InternationalWomensDay we wanted to introduce you to the Inspectors leading local police teams across Coventry.
We sat down to ask them about their policing careers, why they joined the force, and why other women should think about a career in policing.

Detective Inspector Manwar Porter, who manages local policing teams in the North East of Coventry, has over 23 years of policing experience starting in the Metropolitan Police, then moving to West Midlands in 2024. Manwar has worked across many departments including the Counter Terrorism Unit; Prisoner Management Team; and Public Protection Unit investigating rape and serious sexual offences and Missing People investigations.

When asked, What would you say to any women thinking of a career in policing?, Manwar said:

"Do it! This is the best job in the world! Don’t get me wrong; it can be long and arduous hours. It will test your nerve and your patience to their limits sometimes, but it is never boring or routine. It will teach you to: problem solve like a Chess Grand Master; influence like a UN Ambassador; and plan like a CEO.

"You will learn something about yourself every single day. A career in Policing offers a rich tapestry of potential career paths. You are bound to find something that suits you.  I have served various postings. Each role has been uniquely challenging and rewarding, but the one consistent thing was that I was doing a job I love whilst protecting the public.  

"Every day I go home after work and I think: my colleagues and I did some good for the community today. That makes me feel both humble and proud at the same time.” 

You can read more about DI Manwar Porter here.

Detective Inspector Lisa Yates-Laughton manages the local policing teams in the South North West of Coventry. Lisa has over 19 years of experience leading and supporting complex investigations across major crime, local CID, domestic abuse and public protection, as well as community-focused projects tackling serious youth violence and county lines criminality.

When asked, Why did you choose a career in policing?, Lisa said:

"I joined the police because I'm naturally curious! That curiosity is actually one of the best tools an investigator can have. I've always wanted to understand what really happened, why it happened and how all the pieces fit together.

"I love puzzles and policing is full of them. Every investigation is about gathering fragments, spotting patterns and challenging assumptions. For me, the real motivation has always been the pursuit of justice and truth, giving victims a voice, holding people accountable and helping communities feel safer."

You can read more about DI Lisa Yates-Laughton here.

Lastly, we have Detective Inspector Maria Perrin, who has nearly 20 years' experience in local policing, investigations, and offender management. 

When asked the question, ‘What would you say to any woman thinking about joining the force?, Maria said:

"As a Women In Policing* executive member, a Policing Inspector and with nearly 20 years’ service, I am proud to be a female leader in the organisation. With women accounting for 36% of officers, the police service is recognised as an inclusive employer and employee of choice.  My advice would be to explore the career progression pathways and one way would be to speak with women who can talk about their experiences." 

*Women in Policing is a West Midlands Police association that inspires, empowers, and supports women in the force in their role and through promotion.

You can read more about DI Maria Perrin here.

If you've been inspired and would like to explore a career in policing head to our website to learn more: WMP Jobs | West Midlands Police.

You can read more about becoming a police officer, explore our current vacancies, and browse our different entry routes.