Bernice Waverley

Casting

Hazlehurst signed up for a part in City Homicide, after learning that series would have a strong ensemble cast. She told Erin McWhirter of The Courier-Mail "I like the idea of the regular cast and the reasons dramas have failed is because they haven't assembled a group of well-known people. They will have one but when you look at six faces and you only know or like one you have to really like that one person to watch." Hazlehurst initially commuted from Queensland to Melbourne for filming, before moving to the latter city when she found the travelling too much.

Development

"The Detective Superintendent of Homicide, Bernice Waverley is a supportive sounding board to Stanley Wolfe and his team of Detective Senior Constables. She's a great advocate for the advancement of women in the Police Service but also a firm believer in the notion that they have to earn their place, just as she did."

Hazlehurst admitted that she was intrigued by the chance to play a strong female character, who was in an executive position within the police force and had the respect of her colleagues. The actress met with members from the real Victoria Police homicide squad, so she could understand her character better. Hazlehurst described Bernice as "tenacious, intuitive and tough". She went on to say "I understand the difficulties of being a female in a male world. I think most females do. But in a profession like the police, for a woman to get this rank she would have to have these qualities in spades. It was important she be someone who was able to command respect, who has authority, doesn't take bulls--- and trusts her instincts to have good people on her team and let them do their jobs." A TV Week writer called Bernice "tough and fiercely competitive" and commented that her goal was to become Commissioner. They added "She believes that women have as much of a right to be in the top ranks of the service as their male counterparts, but she also thinks they have to earn their place like she did. Behind the tough professional exterior, Bernice is a compassionate single mother to 14-year-old Josh."

A major storyline for the character was the kidnapping and death of her teenage son, Josh (played by Hazlehurst's son William Jarratt). The storyline began with Bernice being investigated for alleged misconduct. She then learned that she was being set up by Billy Pierce (Simon Stone), the brother of a policeman that Bernice had come into contact with some years prior. Bernice had been the chair of a committee that rejected Billy's brother's application for remuneration. Afterwards, he committed suicide and Billy found him. Billy later kidnapped Bernice's son Josh, and taunted her with clues as to his whereabouts. Hazlehurst thought Billy's revenge plan was "perfectly executed" and said "he's a very disturbed but intelligent man who's established a near foolproof scheme to bring Bernice undone." Hazlehurst called the storyline the hardest thing she has ever done, but enjoyed playing something that challenged her and being out and about, as most of Bernice's scenes were shot in her office. When asked if it was easier to summon up the emotions knowing it was her own son, Hazlehurst replied "certainly, yes - since it was my own son, there was another layer of emotion there." The actress added that she hoped viewers would be moved by the storyline and that her respect for what the police do increased "tremendously".

Storylines

It was revealed early on that Bernice has been a cop since she was 18 years old and that she has been in the force for over 30 years. It has also been shown that she has a teenage son, Josh who was murdered in the 2009 season finale. She also appears to be friends with Detective Senior Sergeant Stanley Wolfe and Assistant Commissioner Bill Mulholland.

Recently, Bernice was accused of corruption and was suspended from the police force. She looked desperately to prove she had been set up. The climax of this storyline saw Bernice's son Josh being kidnapped by the man framing her. It was revealed to be the brother of a former police officer who Bernice had a hand in dismissing from the force and who became deeply depressed and committed suicide prior to this. The perpetrator killed Josh the same way that his brother had died, by slashing his wrists. Bernice is reinstated into the police force but the final scene of the season 2 finale shows Stanley in her home consoling her over Josh's murder.

After Stanley Wolfe went on leave, Bernice returned to homicide to take over his position. She originally was not going to be able to but Bill Mulholland arranged it especially for her, however In 2010 Bernice Waverly is promoted to Commander of Crime so Stanley is now back in his original position

Reception

While reviewing the series, Farah Farouque from The Age stated "It's also splendid to see Noni Hazlehurst breaking TV's glass ceiling to play the boss, Superintendent Bernice Waverley, as a woman of a certain age - who has not resorted to surgical enhancement. Now, if only she could score more screen time, too."