Sisters in arms
Newest Simi cop congratulated by her sister, a Ventura County Sheriff's deputy in nearby Moorpark
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers PROUD FAMILY- New Simi Valley Police Officer Hillary Buckland, at right, embraces her sister, Simi Valley resident and Ventura County Sheriff's Deputy Amy Ward, after being sworn in at the police station two weeks ago.

When Hillary Buckland began to consider a career in law enforcement, the Simi Valley resident didn't have to look far for a second opinion.

Her sister, Amy Ward, is a 14year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. She started out as an Explorer with the department in the '90s and currently works next door for the city of Moorpark. Her husband, Corey Ward, is a motorcycle officer for the Simi Valley police.

"If my sister didn't think I was cut out for the job, she would tell me because she knows me better than anybody and she doesn't want to see me get hurt," said Buckland, 33.

Two weeks ago she was sworn in as the latest member of the Simi Valley Police Department.

"Hillary has a lot of compassion and I truly believe this is going to be a great job for her," said Ward, who was named Moorpark's "Officer of the Year" for 2007.

Buckland worked with foster children in Fresno prior to returning to Ventura County for a job with the county's probation department.

"Social work and probation laid out the foundation for me to join law enforcement," she said, expressing a desire to use her knowledge of human behavior to help people do better in life.

"Hopefully my degree in sociology and psychology will help me understand people, the situations they are in and the decisions they make a little bit more," she said.

When she prepared to go out on the beat for the first time last week, Buckland received a few more helpful tips from her sister.

"I made sure she had the stuff that she needs," Ward said.