She has talked people out of suicide, witnessed the deepest, darkest grief and empowered members of some of the most disenfranchised communities with knowledge and understanding.
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But, for Leading Senior Constable Melissa Peters the desire to wear the Victoria Police badge was driven by a love for the American sit-com Chips. The mother-of-five wanted to patrol the streets like the Californian duo and never dreamed of being anything but a “copper”.
Leading Senior Constable Peters, who joined the force in her early 20’s, is one of 10 policewomen featured in Victoria Police Museum’s latest exhibition: Behind the Badge – Women of Victoria Police.
Leading Senior Constable Peters started a law degree and was a court registrar until she decided she was more suited to the street beat than the courtroom. For 17 years she completed “general duties” at stations in Laverton and Melton. She was exposed to the very best and the very worst of humanity.
The cases that stick most in her mind are the ones where she feels she really helped people.
“(Such as) taking women and children out of family violence, talking people out of suicide and then seeing them a year later (well and happy),” Leading Senior Constable Peters said.
“I know that if I don’t do it – someone else will have to.”
The Wurundjeri Yorta-Yorta woman, with Polish heritage, has at times been torn by the history between police and the indigenous community.
This, and a desire to work Monday to Friday to see more of her husband and young family, drove Leading Senior Constable Peters to accept a role in community engagement at Ballarat police station.
Leading Senior Constable Peters works with people from all different backgrounds and cultures – members of all different faiths and people who identify as lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender.
Sometimes these people have come from fractured countries where police corruption is rife. Sometimes there is a language barrier. Leading Senior Constable Peters works hard to gain their trust, become involved in the community and break down those barriers. Recently she attended the opening of the new Ballarat mosque.
“Its breaking down the barriers … and reaching out,” Leading Senior Constable Peters said. The exhibition opens weekdays, from today.
Olivia Shying
Police and emergency services reporter.
Police and emergency services reporter.
