Educational Media Reviews Online

This program provides clear and candid insight into the lives of two Canadian police women as they travel to East Timor, Indonesia to work with the United Nations Civilian Police. Officers Debbie Doyle and Marte LeRoyer candidly discuss their experience of working and living in another country and how that experience has changed their lives. Officer Doyle is married to a fellow Canadian officer who was also sent to work with the United Nations Civilian Police. Officer LeRoyer is single; her father was a retired police officer.

When the officers arrived in East Timor, they witnessed the poverty and despair of the area. For those individuals that had jobs, they only earned two dollars a day. Officers Doyle and LeRoyer were assigned to the Vulnerable People Unit (VPU). This unit worked with assault cases. The program highlights two cases. In one case a father was charged with attempting to rape his daughter. In another incident, an Australian couple was physically assaulted. The woman was raped and the male was assaulted with a machete. Officer LeRoyer became head of VPU. After a short time, Officer Doyle was sent to Suai, where she saw a lot of combat due to militant fighters.

At the end of their nine month assignment in Indonesia both had mixed emotions. Officer Doyle was ready to return to the states with her husband. Officer LeRoyer, who lost her father during this period, requested that her tour be extended. Unfortunately, her request was denied.

I strongly recommend this program to those interested in a career in law enforcement whether here or aboard. Being a law enforcement officer is very challenging. This documents the experience of working in the field in a country less fortunate than the United States and Canada. The viewer will come away with a clear and concise understanding of what the job entails, its challenges and the effects it can have on his/her personal life.