She has been the trusted face the community turns to for reassurance and results when a horrific event rattles their sense of safety.
But Newcastle City Police District commander, Superintendent Kylie Endemi, has also made it her mission to support and care for every officer within her ranks.
Now, she will take her passion statewide, with a promotion to Assistant Commissioner of the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Command.
"People are our most valuable resource ... and I have never lost sight of that," Superintendent Endemi said.
"I've always operated on the motto that if you get the people stuff right, the rest will follow."
Superintendent Endemi has been at the helm through events that have rocked Newcastle since her arrival in 2022.
It was up to her to reveal publicly that 22-year-old James Callahan had allegedly been murdered on Beaumont Street following a simple comment about littering.
She oversaw the rapid response to the alleged riot at Mayfield during a Bad Apples giveaway, and has supported police officers through injuries.
Superintendent Endemi has been active in the community and created change to keep people safe.
Under her command, proactive operations in areas like Hamilton South were launched, and the district's first dedicated Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer was installed.
Superintendent Endemi said she was really proud of the work that has been done in Newcastle Police District.
"There has been some really challenging sets of circumstances that we have had to face, but I think we have never lost sight of the fact that we are here for the community," she said.
"I never lose sight of the fact that our role is to work with the community and walk beside people and try and make it a safer, happier place for everyone.
"I have just fallen in love with the community of Newcastle and all the people I have been fortunate enough to meet and work with, and I leave here sad to say goodbye but exceptionally proud of what we as a team at Newcastle City have done and continue to do, and the foundations of that will remain forever."
Superintendent Endemi said the sworn officers and civilian staff in Newcastle have been some of the best she has worked with in 32 years of policing, because of their passion, tenacity and dedication.
"They fill my boots each and every day and motivate me, because I get to bear witness every day to incredible police work and behind the scenes work that makes our team function," she said.
"There have been times when I have asked the community to have faith that we've got this, and I've made promises in terms of getting results and doing things to make things better.
"I'll leave a big chunk of my heart here ... but everyone can rest assured they are in exceptional hands."
Superintendent Endemi served as commander of the Oxley Police District, based in Tamworth, before Newcastle.
She has filled in as an acting assistant commissioner in various commands in the five years before her promotion.
She has also worked hard to balance her rise through the ranks with being a mother and a wife.
Superintendent Endemi has never seen policing as a job - it is a calling. It is one of the reasons she is making the leap.
She said she felt fortunate to be going into a role where she could take her skills from working the frontline and as a leader to build on the work of the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Command.
"If there is one thing that I would like to say when I finally do retire, is that I've supported young police and our younger generation of officers coming through in being able to have whatever career they want, but be able to do that in a healthy and happy way," she said.
"If I can role model some of that in my career, and impact just one person, then I think my job is done."
The next commander of Newcastle City Police District will be announced at a later date.
