To celebrate Harmony Week and to embrace our members' cultural, linguistic, religious and spiritual diversity, this week, we will be looking at members of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community within the Service.
Introducing Senior Constable Brenda Lee
Senior Constable Brenda Lee is a Community Beat Officer at Jacobs Well Police Beat, Coomera Division.
Born and raised in Pakuranga, South Auckland in New Zealand's North Island, she went to school at Edgewater College and Massey High School before gaining employment in the Air Force and then as a schoolteacher and principal.
Working for the QPS
Senior Constable Lee started her career with the QPS in 2000 and worked for several years as a general duties officer.
She was given the opportunity to relieve in various different units, including a secondment as a Facilitator at the QPS Academy at Oxley.
In 2007 she started work at the Jacobs Well Police Beat, which is within the Coomera Police Division.
She said she found her role both challenging and rewarding, remaining within the Jacobs Well community at the beat, committed to her family.
"I'm very connected to my local Māori community and I believe I am a role model and advocate. Being so close to my community does have its benefits and challenges," she said.
"Living in a residential Police Beat, you need to recognise when it's time to switch off from being a police officer, to being a mum, Nan and spouse.
"It's extremely rewarding when I'm able to positively impact families and individuals in my Māori community and the broader community within and outside of Jacobs Well."
Cultural background
Senior Constable Lee said she was of Irish, Chinese and Māori descent.
"If you are of mixed race, you identify with the one that pulls your heart the strongest, then perhaps that is your identity. For me, I am proud of all my whakapapa (family tree) however in my being, I identify as Māori," she said.
"My cultural background has a big influence on my role, as I speak Te Reo Māori (Māori language) and understand our tikanga (traditions and protocols) and this helps me form connections and build relationships between families, communities, agencies and other stakeholders.
"It gives me the opportunity to help people find answers to their queries and concerns. I believe that we are visitors to this country and as Māori we acknowledge and respect the 'tangata whenua' (people of the land) in all our interactions, meetings and events."
Senior Constable Lee is a strong advocate for Māori culture and likes to share her culture and educate others.
"If you come to a Māori community event, you will be welcomed and you will feel what we are all about," she said.
Harmony Week
Senior Constable Lee said that for her, Harmony Week was about respect.
"I think people from diverse multicultural backgrounds should stand up for their heritage, however not impose it on others, but take opportunities to educate one another. We should learn English well, but also maintain our own language, keeping connections tight at home and within your community" she said.
"We should also understand and align our cultural values with the Australian expectations and way of life. Integrity has the same meaning in any culture-it means doing the right thing even when no one else is around," she said.
Recruiting police officers from a range of backgrounds is essential to ensuring the QPS reflects the cultural diversity of the community and provides effective policing services.
To find out more about culturally and linguistically diverse recruiting pathways within the QPS, visit https://www.police.qld.gov.au/culturally-and-linguistically-diverse-recruiting.
