Two years of volunteering her time with the Kingsburg Police Department has finally paid off for Nicole Riesgo. Having served as a reserve officer, Riesgo was recently hired as the newest full-time office of the department.

The 26-year-old said that she couldn't be happier to be part of the local community.

"I love this department," Riesgo said. "I really wanted to find a department where I could build a foundation and stay there."

A graduate of Buchanan High School in Clovis, Riesgo spent summers in Kingsburg with a friend while she was growing up, and is anxious to make her home here. She has been commuting from Madera, where she lives with her family, but will soon be moving into an apartment in Kingsburg.

Riesgo attended California State University, Fresno for two years before becoming involved in real estate, which she decided wasn't for her.

She describes her initial decision to try her hand at police work as a spontaneous one. She graduated from the six-month police academy at Fresno City College, and then went to work as the manager of a motorcycle parts and accessories shop. When she wasn't working there, she spent anywhere from 20 to 48 hours each month as a reserve officer in Kingsburg.

"Reserve officers here do the same things as regular cops, they just don't get paid," Riesgo explained.

Police Chief Jeff Dunn said that Riesgo's willingness to work for free says a lot about her.

"She's already shown her commitment to and desire to serve this community as a reserve officer," Dunn said. "I think when someone's willing to work for no pay, that really shows a desire to serve."

Riesgo said that the Kingsburg Police Department has a reputation for being a good starting point for new officers.

"Their reserve unit is the best reserve unit ever," she said. "The training is great."

Being the department's only full-time female officer is not a big deal to Riesgo. Because she spent two years as a reserve officer, she said she already feels like part of the family.

"I feel privileged (to be the only full-time female officer), but everybody treats me as just part of the team," she said. "They've been really supportive and I'm really comfortable."

Riesgo joked that she gets teased about being the only officer with a purse stored in her cubicle, but said that her co-workers treat her with respect and are anxious to help her through the learning process. She doesn't consider it a disadvantage being a woman in a career that seems mostly dominated by men.

In tense situations, she said that her tone of voice and calm demeanor can help diffuse tension and have a calming effect.

Riesgo said that communicating with people and the spontaneity are the aspects of her job that she most enjoys. She believes she has found her niche doing a job that she doesn't mind getting out of bed for each morning.

"I do want to help people, but I want something I can enjoy everyday," she said.

She also enjoys the aspect of her job that allows her to help keep Kingsburg's residents safe.

"You get a sense of pride and satisfaction after you've taken a drunk driver off the street," Riesgo said.

As someone who has seen firsthand how unhappy new officers can be when they accept jobs in cities to which they have no ties, Riesgo said that taking a position where she felt at home was important. She had turned down job offers in other towns.

"I want to hang out here for awhile," Riesgo said. "I'll be here as long as they let me."