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Woman Corporal Samantha Brown-Thompson, the LASCO Police Officer of the Year, wants to become Jamaica's first female commissioner of police.

Brown-Thompson, who has been a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for 13 years, copped the coveted award on Monday for her work in stemming the excessive use of marijuana among teenagers and establishing a counselling and exposure therapy programme in her St Catherine North Division.

Now, she has her eyes set on the ultimate prize.

"I see myself being the first female commissioner of police. I'm guided by the rational emotional theory: 'I think, therefore, I am.' So I tell myself that whatever I think, I will become," she said.

And when she achieves this, Brown-Thompson said she will be working to get rid of an issue that has long plagued the JCF.

"If corruption is not a hundred per cent eradicated by the time I get there, it is my hope to get it much much better. I'll be doing some vigorous education programme about the consequences of getting involved in corruption, how to prevent it, how to report it, and how to take action against it," she said.

Brown-Thompson told THE WEEKEND STAR that while she was honoured that her work is being recognised, she is just fulfilling her passion.

"I felt so happy and blessed. I started reflecting on my journey in the JCF, and it just served as a reminder that God has been faithful with His word. I felt so grateful. Words couldn't describe my feeling," she said.

"Growing up, I always loved working with youth. I worked with a lot of youth in the church, so I developed that passion from then."

Brown-Thompson, who was born in St John, Clarendon, said that she always wanted to become a police officer. Before her father died, she said that it is something he encouraged her to pursue.

STAYING FOCUSED

And although she admitted that being a female cop might have some challenges, she said she is focused on the positives.

"Women are empathetic, and so we add core values to the JCF. Women are known for nurture, so even that adds to the attributes of the JCF. Us working with men creates a partnership, a balance," she said.

And while she works on becoming the commissioner of police, the 34-year-old mother of three said that she will continue to enjoy the simple pleasures of her job.

"I love the fact I get to engage empathetically with the people. That is my passion. My journey has been fulfilling. There have been some drawbacks, but as the journey continued, I grew," she said.