Kimberley Olsen: Dubbo’s newest sheriff and ‘unsung hero’

After spending much of her career behind bars, a determined former childcare worker has found a new calling and she’s part of the biggest ever group to do so.

Growing up, Dubbo woman Kimberley Olsen never thought she’d be spending her days in courthouses and communities helping to keep the justice system running smoothly.

After starting her working life as a childcare worker, Ms Olsen progressed to working with troubled youth in juvenile detention and then adults at the Macquarie Correctional Centre in Wellington.

Kimberley Olsen outside Dubbo courthouse where she is primarily based. Picture: Ryan Young

Now after a lengthy stint behind bars, she’s become the newest sheriff in western NSW.

“I have always had a passion for a career that involves helping people,” Ms Olsen says.

“While working as a correctional officer, I became very interested in the court and community side of things.”

Ms Olsen decided on a career change after she had the opportunity to take a closer look at the work done by sheriffs, during her time as part of the court escort unit which helped inmates get to court appearances.

When a job ad popped up online in October last year, Ms Olsen jumped at the opportunity.

“I didn’t know if there were any positions here in Dubbo but I thought I’d give it a go anyway,” she said.

After being told the job was hers in January, and with Covid under control, Ms Olsen undertook 10 weeks of training in Parramatta.

“I have a daughter and I’ve been a single mum for eight years now, so leaving her to go to Sydney and be away from her for such a long time was tough,” she said.

“I was able to drive home on weekends but I couldn’t have done that when she was younger so I feel like now is a good time.

“My parents looked after her while I was away, I’m really lucky to have that family support.”

Sheriffs keep court rooms across NSW safe. Picture: Department of Communities and Justice/YouTube

Despite being separated from her daughter, Ms Olsen immersed herself in the training and made the most of it, saying tactical training about how to respond to possible real life risks and dangers was her favourite.

“There was a lot of legislation, civil enforcement and tactical training,” she said.

“Coming from Corrections, I was trained a certain way to do things and it’s a completely different way of doing things when you’re a sheriff. I had to retrain my brain to forget everything else and then learn this new stuff.

“I made new friendships with fellow recruits from all over NSW and I keep in touch with them and can reach out for support and help if I need it.”

Along with 30 other aspiring sheriffs, Ms Olsen was part of the largest cohort ever to complete the training, which was unable to be held in 2020 because of the pandemic.

Since starting in her new role, she’s been relishing the variety it offers, from keeping country courthouses secure to doing work in the field dealing with evictions, property seizures and more.

“It’s been great, on my second day in the job I was out doing field work. You don’t usually get to go out in your first week so I was really lucky and I really enjoyed it,” Ms Olsen said.

“It’s such a good change from what I’m used to.

“I was a bit worried when I left the comfort of my training group and then came out here but everyone’s so helpful, they just want to make sure you’re doing the right thing and if you need any help they always say just ask.”

Kimberley Olsen will complete her qualification while working full time over the next 12 months. Picture: Ryan Young

NSW Sheriff Tracey Hall said Ms Harris and other new sheriffs would now complete a Certificate III qualification in government court services during the next 12 months.

“Sheriff’s officers are unsung heroes who often forge long and rewarding careers,” she said.

“It’s a sometimes dangerous job for which they deserve our thanks for protecting people who attend courts.”

NSW has more than 300 sheriffs carrying out court security and field work and administering the jury system.

In the past year many have stepped out of their normal roles to help out with bushfire recovery and Covid-19 responses.