More women in blue wanted

Tauranga police Constable Michelle Basson enjoys to be part of the police force.

Michelle Basson has wanted to join the police since she was 11 - and now she's achieved her goal.

The mother of two teenagers graduated from police college on February 13 this year and then became one of the 47 sworn female officers working across the Western Bay police area.

Born in the former Rhodesia, the 42-year-old is backing a new recruitment drive to attract more women into the police.

Only one in five police officers in the Western Bay are women and only four of the 36 officers in the senior ranks are female. Nationally, just over 18 per cent of the country's 8872 police force are women.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush has launched three initiatives aimed at attracting more women into the police and into senior positions.

Part of the drive includes the new reality TV series Women in Blue which chronicles the lives and work of seven female officers. A Police Women's Advisory Network has also been established by a number of senior police women to support the campaign's goals.

Mrs Basson, who began working in the Western Bay's Traffic Alcohol Group, told the Bay of Plenty Times being a police officer was "quite challenging" and "full-on" at times.

"I joined the police because I'm a people person and love helping people. I also wanted to make a difference in people's lives. As a police officer you get plenty of chances to do that. Some days when I get home I'm really tired but then I stop and think, 'wow I really did make a difference today'. It feels really great when you get a thank you from someone you've helped."

Mrs Basson, who has a sales background, said she and South African-born husband John and their daughter Mikaela, 14, and son Traigh, 17, emigrated to New Zealand five years ago.

Once she gained permanent residence in July 2010 she started the process to join the police.

"I still have a lovely letter my children wrote to me about three years ago telling me to just go for it, as they knew it was something I really, really wanted to do."

Mr Bush said it was a priority for police to be representative of the community. "We're looking for new young leaders with communication skills, empathy and problem solving abilities. These skills are crucial to prevent crime and victimisation."