This is how Superintendent Jenny Wilson described the attitude of the region's police working though the coronavirus pandemic - whether they were door-knocking homes or ensuring people were social distancing, stationed at the vehicle checkpoint, at a small-town police station or taking on the increasing cases of family violence reports.

In the more than three decades she has been in the police force, Superintendent Wilson said police had never responded to anything the way they had this year, especially amid such trying conditions.

"This has been a very challenging year for the whole community - including police - because what we are fighting, this virus, is not visible. Unlike a fire or other emergency, you can't see it."

Superintendent Wilson said often people decided to join Victoria Police because of a desire to serve their community and to make it a safer place and that has been exactly what was required of police officers this year.

Though not only to protect the community from crime, but from a deadly and highly contagious virus.

Many of the roles police have taken on this year have been new, but all have required an ability to adapt to continuously changing circumstances.

"We were called upon to respond to this health crisis and members have been engaged in responding - through Operation Sentinel shifts or at the checkpoint - for many months," Superintendent Wilson explained.

"The work has often been repetitive and they have worked longer hours than they normally would, completing duties and dealing with legislation that we normally would not be dealing with.

"This has all been challenging for members but underpinning all that has been the idea that the community needed us so it was the time to stand up and serve them."

Superintendent Wilson said members had been focused on "getting the job done" to keep their community safe and prevent the widespread outbreaks which occurred in Melbourne throughout the year.

But she said the community also played a part and had been very understanding of the role police have been playing throughout the pandemic.

ALSO IN THIS SERIES:

PART ONE: The police who manned the checkpoint in 'rain hail or shine'

PART TWO: How Daylesford police managed a town that is usually swarming with tourists during COVID-19

PART THREE: Meet the police who door-knocked Ballarat during the COVID-19 outbreak

While enforcing the law and doling out fines has been a major role and the one which gained the most scrutiny, so too has been providing a visible presence to provide reassurance to the community during a year filled with uncertainty and anxiety.

"Ultimately our goal is to make the community safer for all and I think we have achieved that this year," Superintendent Wilson said.

"We are law enforcers but our focus is usually much broader than that; it encompasses a lot more than just enforcing the law and I think this is a good example of that."

She said she had received multiple letters of thanks from members of the community for the work police have put in this year.