Mother's Day is not just about flowers and brunches, it's about celebrating the remarkable women who balance the demands of motherhood, both those within and outside of the Queensland Police Service (QPS).
Acting Senior Sergeant Victoria Mildred has always been surrounded by strong women, with three of her closest female friends being sworn officers in the QPS, who encouraged her to join the Service almost two decades ago.
As a mum to seven children, in a blended family and grandmother to nine grandchildren, Victoria has helped create a long line of service women and men, with nearly all family members following her footsteps into emergency service roles.
Alongside her husband, who recently retired as a serving officer from the QPS, Victoria has shaped a family committed to serving the community, with her children taking on various roles including Senior Constable, an aspiring Australian Border Force recruit, a plain-clothes Senior Constable as well as within the Queensland Ambulance Services and Queensland Health.
Victoria's experience as a mother has deeply influenced her approach to policing, ensuring that empathy and patience lead her interactions with colleagues and community members.
"What would I want for my own child in this situation?" Victoria questions.
Reflecting on her career to date, Victoria recalls the nervousness of returning to work, questioning the logistics and emotional impact this would have on herself and her family.
"Can I do this? Can I go to work full time? Can I work shift work and juggle being able to ensure that my children were getting everything they needed. Will I still be there for them emotionally?" Victoria recalls asking herself 18 years ago.
"I felt supported in the workplace and if I was experiencing difficulties initially with trying to figure out shifts, work was always accommodating."
The QPS offers parents security and stability, with advantages such as shift work, part-time arrangements and parental leave, ensuring mothers like Victoria can find a suitable work/life balance.
"I'm so glad I believed in myself and got through the training and I am still here 18 years later."
Mother's Day is not just a day to honour mothers, it's a day to celebrate the resilience, strength and unwavering love of women like Acting Senior Sergeant Victoria Mildred.
Her journey with the QPS exemplifies the extraordinary balance of motherhood and service, inspiring women everywhere to embrace their ambitions and pursue their passions, both in and out of uniform.
The QPS extends warm wishes to all mothers this Mother's Day and acknowledges the countless sacrifices they make and the immeasurable impact they have on their families and communities.
A career within the Queensland Police Service is like no other. From protecting, responding, and investigating, to supporting, rescuing and learning – the sheer variety of roles make it both a challenging and rewarding career.
As a police officer, you can have one career that has endless possibilities. Now really is the best time to join.
Visit PoliceRecruit.qld.gov.au to kickstart your policing career and make a positive impact in your community.
