A mother and daughter serving in the same police force say their shared experience of policing has brought them even closer together.
Special Sergeant Bik and her daughter PC Talia both work for Thames Valley Police, with Bik based in Reading and Talia stationed in Newbury.
Speaking ahead of Mother’s Day, the pair reflected on their family bond and how wearing the same uniform has shaped their relationship.
Bik said watching her daughter become a police officer had been “mind-blowing”.
“Watching my once-shy little girl grow into a confident, capable, respected police officer has been one of the proudest moments of my life,” she said.
“She’s compassionate, empathetic and has the kind of work ethic you can only hope for in your kids. She has achieved so much already and somehow continues to level up.”
Talia said her interest in policing began while she was at school and was partly influenced by seeing her mother volunteer as a Special Constable.
“I have enjoyed watching Mum volunteer as a Special Constable,” she said.
“Seeing her passion for the community and making a difference showed me what policing could mean, not just what it looked like.”
Talia also said her childhood love of animals still plays a role in her job in the largely rural West Berkshire area.
“Because West Berkshire is so rural, I’ve become the unofficial ‘Animal Whisperer’ on shift,” she said.
“If it’s got hooves, horns, feathers or a questionable attitude, I’m always the first to call up.”
Despite working at different stations, the pair said policing has given them a unique understanding of each other’s work.
“Whether we’re swapping stories after a shift or laughing about the madness of the day, policing gives us this unique understanding of each other’s world,” they said.
Bik added that while she once gave most of the advice when Talia was growing up, the roles had shifted professionally.
“In policing, Talia absolutely blows me away,” she said. “She’s professional, knowledgeable and I never hesitate to take her advice.”
The pair also recalled some light-hearted moments on the job, including the first time they worked together.
“Talia had a minor identity crisis about what to call me,” Bik said. “So she played it safe and called me ‘Sarge’ instead. That was weird for both of us.”
They said family support is essential in a demanding job like policing, particularly when dealing with difficult incidents.
“Policing comes with highs but also some heavy moments,” they said. “Being able to talk to each other – really talk – is the anchor that keeps us steady.”
This year the pair hope to spend some time together on Mother’s Day before Talia heads out for a late shift.
“Policing doesn’t care about sentimental occasions,” they said, adding that they have missed birthdays and celebrations over the years.
“We celebrate when we can and make those moments count.”
