Girl power! In boots and body armour, the woman cop who's a match for any criminal

ACTRESS Demi Moore brought real conviction to the physical demands of her new role as a member of the elite combat unit, the Navy SEALS.

The normally dainty actress developed muscles and put herself through a gut-wrenching inhuman regime of one-arm press-ups and running until their was blood in her trainers.

She even shaved her head for the part.

One woman who can identify with what she went through is police officer Catherine Sutcliffe.

She is a member of a mainly-male crack team who go over and above basic police training to equip themselves with skills to handle riots, drug barons, murderers and rapists.

But there are two subtle differences between Catherine and GI Jane.

Catherine is readily accepted by her male counterparts and does not feel she has to become "one of the boys" to fit in.

Unlike GI Jane, who is the target of hatred and ridicule for entering a male-dominated regiment, Catherine is respected as a member of the support unit covering East Lancashire.

But she did have to prove herself first, like any new recruit, male or female.

She had to pass a back-breaking physical test which many men have failed before her.

"I get respect because I was accepted on to the unit on merit and not as a token girl," said Catherine, from Clitheroe.

"If I didn't pass the test, I didn't get on. "It was that simple.

She added: "I don't feel I have to compete with the men or prove myself.

We just work as a team and every individual, regardless of sex, brings different skills to the job."

Inspector Stuart Maulin said: "Our unit is only as strong as the weakest link, which is why the women have to be every bit as good as the men."

It is difficult to believe that 5ft 6in Catherine can retain her femininity inside such a hard-core unit.

She spends every working day with men and wears the same regulation black boots and riot gear.

But the 27-year-old said: "Some people think you are turning into a lad but I maintain my femininity.

"I don't want to be a boy."

She said: "Before coming on the team I worried I wouldn't be strong enough or accepted but I was.

"Obviously if I trained five hours a day I still wouldn't be as strong as the men but it is about team work."

She joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1991, moving to the unit four years later.

It is the same type of unit that policewoman Nina Mackay was part of when she was recently stabbed to death in a frenzied attack in London.

She said: "My mum went mad at first, thinking I was putting myself in danger, but it is safer than just being a police officer because when you go to a scene you usually know what to expect and are prepared.

"I always wear my protective gear. It is a fact of life that police officers get assaulted. "You can't get frightened about it, worrying that you will be attacked.

"If you did you would never come into work."

The unit is a body which police divisions draw on to deal with a whole range of situations, from public order incidents like riots or football hooliganism to drugs raids and searches, gaining entry to properties and door-to-door murder enquiries.

She loves the thrill of her job.

"Your adrenaline is pumping in certain situations and it is really exciting," she said.

"Every day is different."

Because of the physical demands of her job she has to keep herself fit.

Her punishing regime includes sit-ups, press-ups, running, gym and weight work-outs - and that is during her time off.

She takes part in regular training sessions with her team, which can often mean running with a 15lb stab and bullet-proof jacket, heavy shield and her heavy riot gear.

Fitness is essential. She has had to deal with maniacs wielding knives and rioters throwing stones and petrol bombs.

She said: "You cannot tell I'm a girl when I've got the gear on.

"It is only when I take my helmet off that people are surprised it is a woman underneath."

Her training is second to none.

"It is a very difficult job to do," she said.

"A lot of people see us as a highly-trained, professional group."

'I think more women will join in the future once we get the message across that women can do this job."

Inspector Maulin added: "Probably 15 years ago women would have been treated the same as GI Jane in the unit but times have changed.

"We now realise that women have a lot to offer the unit."

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