It’s a painfully hot and humid January afternoon on the beat in the Top End. On patrol with Darwin police, we’re targeting the known “hot spots” for illegal public drinking and violence.
Constable Mehtap Ozdemir and her colleague pour out litres of alcohol and take those who are beyond functioning to charity facilities to “dry out”.
Constable Ozdemir handles the tough gig with resilience and shows a remarkable ability to connect.
She talks the language of the down-and-out, jokes with them and knows their names and their story. Her presence seems to keep the situation calm, despite some tension in the air.
Her outlook is straightforward when asked about her role as a female in the force. “At the end of the day what it comes down to is if you can do the job you can do the job.” – READ MORE
