Tracy O’Hara is a Detective Constable with Merseyside Police. Merseyside service is in the North West of England and covers Liverpool and its surrounding boroughs. Tracy was born in 1971 in a place called Middlesbrough. 

A working class town in the North East of England renowned for its steel industry, football and sense of humour. 

Tracy grew up supporting the local football team and playing sport. Tracy attended an inner city school and grew up wanting to be Christine Cagney. Tracy wanted to be a Detective, eat bagels, drink coffee and solve crime.

Tracy joined Merseyside Police in 1996. Tracy thought her gender would be the biggest issue working in a traditionally male dominated workplace. Tracy realized that she had to hide who she was. It was the best and worst of time. Tracy was doing the job I had always dreamt of but at the same time denying herself to her colleagues. Tracy loved policing and focused on being a Detective. However, she was surrounded by homophobia. Ellen came out in 1997, George Michael was arrested in 1998 and listening to responses to this made Tracy realize it was not safe to come out.

In 2001 Tracy got an attachment to investigations. At the same time she had decided enough was enough, she wanted to leave as she could not live her authentic self. On the advice of a trusted friend Tracy went and spoke to the Gay and Lesbian support network. Tracy’s professional life turned a corner that day. Tracy has been involved in Merseyside Police’s LGBT+ network since as Chair.

By 2007 Tracy was qualified to Detective. Tracy’s aspiration had been achieved .

Tracy has worked in all areas under the public protection umbrella, domestic abuse, child protection, rape investigation and in 2008 she began working within a Hate crime investigation unit. Tracy worked in the Hate crime team which covered Liverpool. As a service, Merseyside police had made the decision to treat crimes against sex workers as a Hate Crime. This is known as the Merseyside model and is the only police service in the world to deal with crimes in this way. 

In 2009, Tracy was awarded the British Association of women in policing Officer of the year award. Tracy was also awarded the International Association of Women in policing Officer of the year award in the same year. Tracy got to travel to Seattle to collect her award, eat bagels and drink coffee in America - but no sign of Christine Cagney!

Tracy is the co-chair of the UK’s national network. This is a network of networks who come together as a collective of law enforcement agencies to progress LGBT+ matters in policing. It is a dynamic, eclectic, focused group who are committed to making workplaces a place where LGBT members can be themselves whilst working with leaders to improve working practices, plus ensuring our communities know us to be diverse workplaces. This is a voluntary role and one that Tracy is very proud of.