GMP officer bids to become Miss England after reaching regional final

PC Tara Sampson, 24, has been with Greater Manchester Police for over a year but has now set her sights on winning the prestigious beauty contest and the chance to become Miss World.

She recently qualified for the final of Miss North West after swapping the beat to walk the catwalk at the Park Hall Hotel & Spa in Chorley.

Tara Sampson, 24, a serving police officer who is one of the Miss England finalists (Image: Tara Sampson/Miss England/SWNS)

Tara said taking part in the beauty pageant had been an amazing experience and was a far cry from her day job of catching crooks.

Tara, of Chorley, said: “I was really shocked to be put through as it was my first ever beauty pageant.

“I have never modelled before but have toyed with the idea for a while but what struck me about Miss England is that its motto is beauty with a purpose so it appealed to me to do the pageantry alongside raising money for good causes.

“I just thought ‘why not?’ and I went for it. Only my unit sergeant knows about it so far and she has been very excited.

“But I’m going to announce it to my other colleagues soon and I’m sure they will all be very supportive.

“I really enjoyed being able to get out of my big heavy uniform and get glammed up because at heart I am a very girly girl.

Tara Sampson, 24, a serving police officer who is one of the Miss England finalists (Image: Tara Sampson/Miss England/SWNS)

“When I told my family I wanted to do policing they were like ‘are you sure?’ because I am quite feminine.

“I’ve been with GMP for just over a year now and it’s the hardest job I’ve ever done both mentally and physically.

“My job can put me in some nerve-wracking positions but I was nervous doing a catwalk and interview as it’s completely out of my comfort zone.

Tara Sampson, 24, a serving police officer who is one of the Miss England finalists (Image: Tara Sampson/Miss England/SWNS)

“But being a police officer means having to be out of your comfort zone almost every day because of the situations you can face, you always have to have your wits about you.

“So I think there are some transferable skills I can take into pageantry.

” I feel like my job keeps my life interesting- I always finish a shift with a story to tell. It has also opened my eyes to how great women can do in a male-dominated role.

“Before this I worked in a prison and I think women can certainly de-escalate situations quite well and that’s the same with policing.

“I can adapt and speak to all different kinds of people, whilst making a difference, all whilst embracing femininity.”

Tara Sampson, 24, a serving police officer who is one of the Miss England finalists (Image: Tara Sampson/Miss England/SWNS)

Tara will now compete in several rounds including the Beauty with a Purpose fundraising competition, a talent round and a sports round in a bid to reach the Miss England final which will be held on November 17.

Miss England director Angie Beasley said: “The North West has an incredible track record in Miss England, producing outstanding finalists who have gone on to achieve great success internationally so to add a police officer in to the equation would be something else.”

Organisers are still taking entries for Miss England 2026 and applications can be made at: www.missengland.info