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The first woman to head the Southern police district's prosecutions team has now been officially appointed to the position.
Amelia Steel (36) became the district prosecutions manager last month, at the rank of Senior Sergeant.
She has done the job in an acting capacity for about a year, after the last manager, Sergeant Steve Armitage, stepped back into a prosecuting role.
As the manager, Snr Sgt Steel has responsibility for 18 staff around the district, as well as still doing some court work.
She was pleased to have been appointed to the role, as it had been one of her goals since joining the police 14 years ago.
After several years studying for a law degree at Victoria University, she left to join the police, later completing her degree on a part-time basis.
She worked in the police legal section in Wellington and has worked in prosecutions for five years in Lower Hutt and Dunedin.
The job was challenging and unpredictable, but ultimately satisfying because of those things, Snr Sgt Steel said.
Being a female, and relatively young, had not presented any difficulties so far, she said.
"It is a completely professional environment.
"I've been well supported by my staff, the district and the court.
"Communication is the vital component to resolving any issues before they become a problem."