It took the 28-year-old six years to join the force as she had to study by correspondence. She completed a youth worker diploma and worked three jobs while studying before joining Campbelltown area command.

"[Being a] police officer appealed to me,'' she said.

"I love it. I can't believe that I get paid to do this ... my diploma was a stepping stone into the police.

"There's always room to grow here [at Campbelltown].

"There's a lot of comfort and security and camaraderie.''

Ms Sutherton was born in American Samoa to a Samoan mother and an Australian father and came here as a baby.

She advised young Pacific Islanders to strive to achieve higher goals.

"Education, ambition and goals is not their main focus,'' she said.

"They're content with having a job and a family.

"They don't aspire to be more than they can be.''

The Australia Pacific and Maori Community Services' elders group is proud of Ms Sutherton's achievement.

Group ethnic community liaison officer Ta'ane Tupola said Ms Sutherton was "an inspiration to all'' because she is a young woman.

"She's a good role model for young people,'' he said.

"I don't feel we have enough female officers in the state.''