Awards recognise police service | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

It is not always easy to balance two jobs and a family, but Megan Evans has received an award for it.

The mother, policewoman and Shirley/Papanui community board member received a 14-year good conduct and long service award at the Papanui police station last week.

The award recognises officers who have been able to develop their careers as well as bring up children.

Evans, Helen Mahon-Stroud, Kath Anderton and Peter Waldron all received the award.

Vaughan Lapslie, who is currently stationed in the Solomon Islands, will receive his award in December.

Evans said she enjoyed being busy as it meant she would sort her time out better.

"It's an interesting mix. I think the more work I have the more efficient I become,'' she said.

"For me it's very important because I like the mental stimulation and getting out there among the community," she said.

She has one son, Elliot, 7.

"It's hard work but I'm lucky my parents are very supportive and look after him a lot of the time. What's important is the time I do spend with Elliot is quality time," she said.

Evans worked with the police fulltime up until February of this year where she took time off to concentrate on her role as a councillor.

She began working again in June in a part-time role, working 25 hours a week.

She was a councillor in the Shirley/Papanui ward from 2001/2004 but chose not to run this year, instead opting for the community board.

She said the police's Flexible Employment Options programme meant she could continue her career.

"The police put a lot of time and effort into us and it would be a shame to lose us because we choose to have a family,'' she said.

"To get to 14 years in this day and age is quite an achievement," she said.

Mahon-Stroud, a youth education constable, said she was able to develop her career in the police because of the environment they provide for female staff members to remain in the job.

After each of her children ? Ben, 6; Georgia, 4; and Lucy, 2 ? she has been able to return to working fulltime. "I have been able to support my family at the same time as having a career,'' Mahon-Stroud said.

"The Flexible Employment Option is available and has been a vital tool in retaining staff sworn or not sworn.''

"This option allows us a work/life family balance. It's hard work but I just get on with it and do it," she said.

Area controller Inspector Andy McGregor said it was fantastic that trained staff did not have to choose between their careers and raising a family.

"It definitely had benefits for the police in that we are not losing experienced mature police officers who provide a very good service to the public and are great mentors to their peers as well," he said.

The Flexible Employment Option allows staff to work between 16 and 32 hours a week at the same, or a similar level, to the level they were on before.