Grandmother loves job as police officer

Youth & Careers

By OLIVE SUKUN
FIFTY-seven-year-old senior-sergeant Florence Kerris is the only woman recipient of the Distinguished Police Service Medal among five other policemen in the 2018 New Year honours.
“Serving the people has been quite a journey but I love my job,” says a bright and active Kerris.
She’s served the Police Force for 40 years now and is grateful for the opportunity and experiences she’s gained.
Kerris says her instructors at Bomana Police College moulded her into the woman she had became.
She was among 12 women out of a total 300 applicants who made it into Bomana Police College in 1978.
Kerris was 19 when she decided to join the force against her parents’ will.
She attended Kaindi Teachers College in Wewak for almost two years.
After completing her training at Bomana, Kerris was posted to Boroko Police Station in Port Moresby where she started at the front desk doing general duties, and soon progressed into sector patrols.
“The experience was very interesting and adventurous as it was my first time working with men,” she recalled.
“It was just three years after Papua New Guinea gained Independence.
“The first three batches of policewomen that graduated came across many challenges.
“This was because the idea of women joining the force did not go down well with the female population.
“Women confronted us because we were working with men, it was a new thing.”
Kerris worked with the forensic science division for 14 years as a forensic photographer.
She then moved to transnational crime division and remained there for 16 years — where she’s currently the officer-in-charge.
When asked how she would describe her position as a senior sergeant, she said it’s a challenging position, especially being in a division that requires a lot of commitment and concentration.
Kerris is thankful she has the “most-understanding husband” who knows her job demands and has supported her all the way.
Together, they have three children and seven grandchildren.Kerris cannot be happier.
Her family and friends have always been the reason to keep doing the job she loves.
She said she loved every part of her job because it was rewarding.
“I love my job, especially giving my time and service to the people of this country,” she smiles.
“I’m happy to serve my people.”