A decision maker: that could be me

Meet Senior Sergeant Anna Dwyer, a Senior Integrity Officer in the Ethical Standards Command. She’s worked all over Queensland in many different aspects of the job. Her current role means ensuring the integrity of the QPS and making important decisions that affect the future of the Service. Anna keeps a gratitude diary each day, which she says reminds her of everything she has to be grateful for. Her gratitude journal even led to her meeting her idol, Oprah Winfrey.

I’m from…

My background is Papua New Guinea, however I was born in Brisbane.

I found my way to policing…

After high school I went to QUT to study Justice Studies; my friend Melinda (she is a police officer in Mackay) was also a student and encouraged me to join up.

My service history…

My service has been a Queensland adventure filled with contrasts. I have worked with the most vulnerable communities in Queensland, remote places in Cape York, tourist meccas like Cairns, Sunshine Coast and Airlie Beach as well as working in areas in Brisbane Headquarters where major organisational decisions are made.

Working during G20

My role is…

Senior Integrity Officer, Senior Sergeant, Ethical Standards Command.

My typical day…

Reviewing/researching and providing advice regarding current policies that are in place which designed to ensure the integrity of the organisation. Having worked in a lot of places in Queensland I am able to grasp easily how decisions made in headquarters can affect officers on the ground.

Outside of being a police officer…

I am doing a Masters of Research studying policing Indigenous Communities, I am a member of Toastmasters and I enjoy reading and just hanging out with family and friends.

Being a police officer has made me…

Realise that I am a resilient person, it has also made me very grateful as I have seen the worst in people, but I have also seen the best in people.

Biggest success…

Attaining the rank of Senior Sergeant.

I am inspired by…

Oprah Winfrey. She inspires me to better, do better and live my best life. I am privileged to say that I have met Oprah and even had a conversation with her about gratitude.

Watch me meet Oprah!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMnHGqvS4FE

I look at this person and think ‘that could be me’…

There are a few female Commissioned Officers who I admire that (I can’t pick just one) who are encouraging, inspiring and who epitomise the word ‘leader’.

A memorable moment in the QPS…

The six years I spent in Cape York. Looking back it was an amazing time that I am so glad I said ‘yes’ to undertaking a remote adventure. Absolutely the best thing I have ever done.

My colleagues in the QPS…

Are really a great bunch of people. Every posting I have met and worked with so many great people who have been really supportive and have actively contributed to my success in this organisation. I am really grateful for the people who I have worked with along the way. It is because of them that I can proudly say it has all been worthwhile.

Toughest part of the job…

Is not knowing how a job will end.

Best part of the job…

Is the people I meet and the places that I see. Seeing Queensland as part of my job is amazing.

A virtue/quote to live by…

I have two: 1) “Leave the place better then when you found it” (2) “When you are grateful you will begin to see that you have more”.

Never say…

Never. Because you just never know how things will unfold. When I was living in Weipa, Cape York, I told my friends and family I would meet Oprah, no-one believed it could happen. I can happily say it did.

The best advice I can give to a potential female recruit thinking ‘that could be me’ is…

Go for it, life is short and the adventure and the friends you make will be worth it.

Visit policerecruit.com.au or call 1300 BE A COP.

For more stories from ‘That could be me’, visit here.