BAWP is the only national organisation to embrace women of all ranks and grades within the Police Service. Our mission is to ensure that those women are heard and work toward gender equity in policing.

The Association was founded in 1987, and is the only organisation in the UK to draw members from all ranks and grades of the police service, both male and female, and associated organisations. We have representatives not only from most of the 'geographical' forces throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but also from many others - including British Transport Police and Isle of Man Constabulary.  Our Corporate membership extends across most geographical and national police forces in the British Isles, together with police staff associations, commercial and academic organisations

We are affiliated to the European Network of Policewomen (ENP) and the International Association of Women in Policing (IAWP).

We have work strands that range from strategy and policy development at NPCC and government level, to local and regional support for force or organisational networks. We have influenced fitness testing, uniform and body armour as well as flexible working, recruitment, and leadership among other things. Our current President is also Chair of the Menopause Action Group and gender representative to the NPCC.