Jo Masters

Jo Masters
File:Sgt Masters.png Sergeant Jo Masters, played by Sally Rogers
First appearance	Episode # 275 (05/01/05)
Portrayed by	Sally Rogers
In-universe information
Title	Sergeant
Occupation	Police Officer

Sergeant 46 Joanne Masters, portrayed by Sally Rogers is a fictional character in the police drama The Bill. She arrived in January 2005, and is currently the longest serving female officer at Sun Hill.

Jo was initially recruited as a Detective Constable by Adam Okaro, whom was Sun Hill's Superintendent from 2002 until 2006. Okaro had plans for her to defuse the tension between CID heads DCI Jack Meadows and DI Neil Manson. It was immediately clear that Jo had sustained somewhat of an infamous reputation at her previous stations, partially because her former senior officer could not abide her. A capable detective with several years' experience, Jo had her chance to shine almost instantly when both her superiors were caught up in a hostage situation, and being that she is a skilled hostage negotiator she was brought onto the scene. When the situation was finally over and her superiors were freed, they both remarked to Okaro that Jo's presence in CID could be "counter-productive", to which Okaro replied it was the first time either of them have agreed in a long time, implying she had succeeded in his original mission for her.

Headstrong, lively and motivated, Jo is a no-nonsense copper who is there to get a result and does not really care about whom she offends in the process. When Samantha Nixon went behind her back to speak to her exclusive supergrass Seth Mercer, frightening him off and putting his life in danger by doing so, Jo ignored the fact that Nixon was her superior and challenged her actions. In doing so, Jo gave friend and colleague TDC Gary Best the courage and inspiration to lodge a complaint against DC Suzie Sim, whom he believed to be bullying him, which shows just how influential Jo's actions are.

Having made a lasting impression at Sun Hill, it is no surprise when Jo is chosen to be the contact officer for a recently released child serial killer. After having formed a bond with the woman, Jo uses the link with the woman to her advantage when she goes undercover in prison to discover how drugs are being sold on the wing.

Jo is an out-and-proud lesbian and was in a long-term relationship with a woman named Tess. Later, Jo's commitment to the job and just under a year working undercover in another district causes the two of them to separate.

When Seth Mercer contacts Jo once more with information that his company is being exploited by business partners, she is convinced to go undercover on a long-term operation in Nottingham CID. Although her undercover operation results in the death of Seth Mercer and the suspect, Phillip Hanson, Jo returns to Sun Hill.

Whilst working on a case involving the murder of a super model, Cindy Statham, Jo was kidnapped and held hostage at gun point by Crime Scene Photographer Rachel Inns, after she collected enough evidence to arrest her on the suspicion of the murder. The previous suspect, Larry Franks, had made a statement confessing to the murder, but after he withdrew his confession, Jo was determined to clear Larry's name and prove to DI Manson that he was wrong.

Jo's motivation is second to none, and her instinct and determination has served her and her colleages well in the past. She was one of Sun Hill’s most experienced DCs, so in 2010 when Superintendent Jack Meadows needed a replacement for Smithy’s former Sergeant’s position, he knew she’d be right for the job. With twenty years’ service under her belt – five of them at Sun Hill – and a sergeant’s exam passed on the QT, Jo feels well equipped for her latest career challenge.

Full of laconic wit and sarcasm, Jo can banter with the best of them, but she’s also incredibly warm hearted. She’s someone to be relied on, and many of her old CID team members would call her a dear friend as well as a colleague. Although she remains approachable and level-headed, her PCs are soon to discover that their new Sarge is no pushover - and she's not afraid to take on Stone and Smithy either, if the case demands it!