A leader with her feet firmly on the ground

As a young police officer in Marburg, Carina Lerch went out on her first patrols – and during her very first night shift experienced a fatal accident on the city motorway. “That’s something I’ll never forget,” she says. Today, nearly three decades later, the 47-year-old heads the operational department in Central Hesse, which puts her in charge of around 2,000 police officers - everything from traffic police and constables to criminal investigation officers. “Our job is all about security. We protect people’s basic rights,” is how Lerch sums up police work. 

Variety is the spice of life 

Originally, Lerch wanted to train as a teacher or study law, but then a friendly female police officer painted a very appealing picture of all the opportunities the job entails. “Mounted police, police dogs, helicopters, motor boats - it was this variety I found fascinating,” recalls Lerch. After a degree in Kassel, stints with the constabulary and criminal investigation department, as well as in a team investigating organised crime, she took a master’s degree at the police university in Münster to obtain the qualifications she needed for leadership positions. Her roles then included heading a mobile task force and the press department of the Frankfurt police.  

Obliged to be neutral 

“I have headed many operations - including kidnappings,” Lerch says in a matter-of-fact tone, and adds: “Essentially I like to lead from the front”. By which she means getting out to the scene of the crime rather than remaining at operational headquarters. “This is the best way to get a sense of the mood and dynamics.” From time to time, she deliberately goes out with officers on the beat: “This gives me a genuine insight.” Which includes experiencing how the police are not popular with everyone. At demonstrations in particular, participants often vent their anger towards the police. “We are neutral. We leave our personal political views at home and maintain law and order,” stresses Lerch. 

Lerch has also experienced the dangers of the profession. In her first year of practical police duty, she was threatened by a violent criminal wielding a knife at Frankfurt Airport. The team was able to apprehend him - by working together. “This proved how important team spirit is for us.” Lerch is an expert in the Japanese martial art of jujitsu and goes regularly to firing practice. Nonetheless, she rejects some of the crime novel clichés: “People generally underestimate how much paperwork and trawling through case files the job involves.” 

Still too few women in leadership roles 

Carina Lerch has a daughter. After giving birth she took maternity leave and then returned to work part-time - which she sees as proof that the police force allows one to reconcile the demands of family life and the job. At the same time, it is clear to her that: “There is still scope for getting more women into leadership roles.” These days, young female colleagues see her as a role model and seek her advice. What motivates her? “I like serving people,” says Lerch.