LINDA ZAMMIT swapped her police uniform for police civilian work in 2012, but still counts herself a part of the force.
Miss Zammit transferred to the Hawkesbury command’s intelligence unit, where she worked as an analyst, which included regular briefings for officers.
‘‘I live in Winmalee and I wanted a job closer to home,’’ she said.
‘‘I also wanted to work regular hours.’’
Miss Zammit was recently placed with the drug and alcohol unit at Police Headquarters in Parramatta, but expects to return to Hawkesbury in another year.
‘‘I joined the force in 1995 because I finished high school the year before and had no idea what I wanted to do,’’ she said.
‘‘My mother suggested I try the Police Force and a friend of our family, who was a police sergeant, talked to me about it.
‘‘It seemed like something I’d like, so I joined.’’
She said she was not disappointed.
‘‘I thought, this is the greatest job in the world,’’ Miss Zammit said.
‘‘I had a lot of freedom in the job and I felt I was making a difference to people’s lives.’’
She said the job was not easy all the time.
‘‘Once, I had guns pointed at me,’’ she said.
‘‘It was round Cabramatta; we were looking at a hostage situation.
‘‘It didn’t turn me off the job, but I decided to move to the dog squad.’’
Miss Zammit said she has not regretted her decision to turn civilian, although she sometimes misses the camaraderie of life among sworn officers.
‘‘But the move suited me and my family,’’ she said.
Miss Zammit said she was not sure what the future held, but she was enjoying her work as a civilian and still sees herself as part of the job.
This Saturday, Hawkesbury command is marking 100 years of women in NSW policing with a baton relay through Windsor.
The three-kilometre relay starts in Governor Philip Park, heads out along George Street, through the Windsor CBD and back to the park.
A ceremony then takes place.
There will also be stalls, displays and a barbecue to which all residents are invited.
Details: Inspector Jackie Smith at smit2jac@police.nsw.gov.au or 0431956028.