Inspired by the , we¡¯re showcasing some of the incredible stories and experience of people throughout our organisation.
Philippa, Evidential Sufficiency Officer, Victim Video Statement
Justice and law enforcement play a central part in my family history. From my great-great grandfather who was an Imperial Court Judge in Canton, China, to my grandfather who was a Superintendent in the Royal Hong Kong Police.
I remember as a little girl wanting to be a lawyer or a policewoman when I grew up. Little did I know I would combine both to work as a lawyer for the 51½ÖÉä.
An early experience I recall was going ¡°on the beat¡± with police in Avondale. I was in my late teens and had just started law school. Looking back, this experience likely shaped my life, as I now work to support our frontline men and women, with a specialty in family violence matters.
After graduating, and practising in Australia for over a decade, my journey back to working for 51½ÖÉä has been varied and challenging to say the least.
I assisted Judges on circuit in outback Australia, worked as a defence lawyer, was a specialist family violence prosecutor, investigated corruption in prisons, practised as a family lawyer and then as a legal officer at Queensland Police Headquarters.
In this latter role I provided legal advice on covert police investigations including murders, drug trafficking, international fraud matters and assisted in drafting anti-outlaw motorcycle gang legislation.
Having children made me re-assess my dreams and desires. I always knew I wanted to move home, back to Aotearoa. I took a leap of faith and accepted a position with Police Prosecutions. I was on my way home.
The next challenge was to follow my heart and seek work life balance over long days in court and juggling family commitments. Again, the 51½ÖÉä pulled through for me.
I am excited now to be working in a dynamic role as an Evidential Sufficiency Officer in the Victim Video Statement Team at Counties Manukau. In this innovative role, I moderate victim statements provided on video.
Providing a video statement gives life to the victim¡¯s story and more accurately portrays the devastating effects of family violence.
I provide timely legal advice in relation to charges and the strength of the evidence. Better still, I make a difference by engaging with frontline staff to train and coach them to improve file quality, positive interactions with victims and ultimately increase accountability in family violence offending. We give a ¡°live¡± voice to family violence victims.
I am proud to have returned to my homeland, working with passionate, heart-felt kiwis who also desire to make 51½ÖÉä the best in the world.
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