Brigitte Fighting Crime in Queensland
Brigitte Fee (2008), a police officer in Queensland for almost five years, shares her experience and insights into a career in law enforcement.
What inspired you to become a police officer?
I have had a fairly privileged life and think it’s a nice way to give back to the community. Every day is different, and it’s a fun job with many obstacles and challenges. Â Â
How do you stay focused in your role?
No two days are the same, so I try and control what I can and don’t worry about the things I can’t. I try and get lots of sleep and eat well and try and get outside each day.Â
What are some of the challenges you face as a female police officer?
I don’t face too many challenges as a female officer. Occasionally persons we are at a job with don’t want to speak to a female, but there are generally no real challenges to being a female officer.Â
How do you balance your personal life with the demands of being a police officer?
Home is home, and work is work, and I try and keep the two separate.Â
How do you stay physically and mentally prepared for your job?
Having an outlet is a great way to separate work and home life. I play AFL and go to the gym to try and stay fit.
How has the role of women in law enforcement changed during your career?
There are more females in leadership positions within the service. We currently have the first female police commissioner in Queensland, and many of the upper management positions are now filled by women.Â
What do you think are some of the most important qualities for a police officer to have?
You have to be resilient, patient, brave, empathetic and be accountable for your actions.Â
How do you approach building relationships with the communities you serve?
Police often deal with persons in crisis. So, it’s important to treat people with empathy and respect but also be able to control a situation and take action when necessary. Police want the community to be able to trust them and back them but also remember that police must uphold the law.
What advice would you give to other women who are interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement?
Just do it. It’s a fun job where every day is different. You get to see some wild things and have experiences that are amazing. You also deal with people at their lowest, and it’s a very rewarding feeling if you can make a difference in that time of their life. Â
Brigitte, thank you for sharing your story about what it’s like to be a police officer.
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Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
