THE daughter of a policeman who killed himself after being shot by gunman Raoul Moat has revealed she wants to become a police officer.

Mia Rathband, 14, has said she is intent on joining the force and following in the footsteps of her father, PC David Rathband.

PC Rathband was left blinded after being shot in the face by Moat in July 2010. Although he had taken steps to overcome his disability he took his own life last February.

David’s wife Kath, 43, is now championing the Blue Lamp Foundation he set up to help members of the emergency services injured in the line of duty, while their son Ashley, 20, an international business management student at Northumbria University, is a trustee.

Kath, a nurse manager, said: “Mia wants to follow in her dad’s footsteps and join the police force. She has set up work experience for 2013 and is looking forward to it.

“Mia is so much like David, she is determined and will succeed in anything she puts her mind to. David would have been so proud of her, just like we all are.”

Mia added: “This time of year is very difficult for us. Last year was difficult because it was the first Christmas we had after Dad had been hurt. This year is also difficult because he isn’t here.

“We think about him a lot and I know he will like the fact that I want to join the police and become a traffic officer like him.

“After my dad was hurt it became more clear what I wanted to do as a job and being a police officer was an option.

“It is a good job and I want to be able to make a difference.”

Mia is studying 10 GCSEs at Cramlington Learning Village and was asked by her teachers to arrange work experience for 2013. She phoned Northumbria Police to organise a week with them in June.

From the family home in Cramlington, Northumberland, Mia said: “They obviously knew my dad but I had to say why I wanted to get work experience.

“I told them that it was something I really intend doing and I was passionate towards it.”

She added: “Once, when there was a car accident near our house, my dad ran out to help. I went with him because I was interested in what police do.

“I was intrigued and Dad and I would have long conversations about the police force. I listened to his stories of what happened at work and I know he would be proud at what I am doing.”