“Douglasdale has been my family for 20 years and I will carry on serving the community for as long as I can,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie does not receive income for serving as a reservist, however, volunteers her time to rehabilitate the community’s wildlife and performs the same duties as a full-time police officer. During the 20 years of serving the community, she has served six years with the Douglasdale Child Protection Unit, three years with the Douglasdale Mountain Unit and four-and-half-years with the local drug squad assisting young adults who are doing community service as part of their sentence.
“I work a lot with the youth and I engage with them as I try to solve their problems as much as I can. I really enjoy conducting anti-bullying talks around the area because it shows the youth that someone still cares,” she expressed.
McKenzie is part of the Centre for Animal Rehabilitation and Education and assists in the release of orphaned and injured wildlife back into the wild.
“When I wear my police hat I have to be tough, I cannot be weak in front of criminals, but when I wear my animal hat I can show compassion, as it is important to preserve wildlife,” she said.
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