Working on the frontline had given the police officer rewarding and challenging moments, but he said his resilience and love of the job was what had kept him in it for so long.
He reveals that managing stress is a critical element of being a police officer, but he is “one of the more fortunate ones“ because he has learnt to keep work matters at work.
“When I finish work, I switch off from work,” Sen Const Foskett said.
“You need to be able to deal with the job and then put it behind you once you’ve dealt with it.”
Having spent his whole career on the frontline, Sen Const Foskett is no stranger to stress, but during the years he has learnt to apply strategies that reduce anxiety.
“If you get a critical incident, I always maintain that you get together with the members you went to the incident with and have a debrief,” he said.
“Talk about it and get everything off of your chest at that time. Then you can put it behind you.”
When asked what his favourite memories of being a police officer were, he said it was when you had done someone a good turn or helped them out and they were appreciative.
“That’s what makes the job worthwhile,” he said.
Sen Const Foskett recalls one of the more challenging times as being when he was the sole officer stationed at Pyramid Hill for 16 years.
“It was a one-man station, so you really had to risk-assess every situation a lot more than you do than when you’ve got back up,” he said.
“It was a whole different ball game. You had to be on your guard.”
He said the key to good police work came down to communication.
“I think the main thing with the job is that if you’re a good communicator then the job becomes an easy job,” Sen Const Foskett said.
He has taken on that approach even when dealing with criminals.
“If you’re honest, upfront and don’t lie to them, they will normally co-operate with you,” he said.
Sen Const Foskett does not have too many plans in place for the remainder of this year.
“My daughter bought me a season pass for the Moama footy club to make sure that I don’t go anywhere,” he laughs.
As much as his daughter wants him to stay, Sen Const Foskett does have a cruise booked to go around New Zealand in early 2023, which he is looking forward to.
He hopes it is the beginning of many retirement trips.
Sen Const Foskett says he will “miss the camaraderie between workmates” the most.
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