In your new role, how do you want to represent members?

I have some big shoes to fill but it will be making sure I continue to support members. I have been deputy director for two years and have been involved in the association for a number of years.

Are you a true Southern Man or were your raised somewhere else?

I was born in Rotorua, but moved to Oamaru when I was 2 and stayed there until leaving school. I then moved to Dunedin to study, so consider myself a Southern Man.

When did you join Police and why?

I joined in 2003 because I liked the idea of the variety the role offered and that every day was different.

What is key to being successful in Police?

Being flexible, able to problemsolve a range of situations and having a good sense of humour.

How has policing changed since you began your career?

It’s changed a lot. We had the Whanganui computer system when I started. If you wanted a photo of someone, you had to input the number of the nearest fax machine, and five minutes later, a photo would arrive. There was also a telephonist and calls had to go through them first. Now all that can be done in seconds on mobility devices. Also back then, the cells would be full every weekend, generally for matters like breaching the liquor ban. Now that’s an infringement, and the focus is on alternative resolutions and referrals. So the way that we police has evolved.

You work in prevention - what's the best thing about that job?

I like the variety. While I have prevention in my job title, I also oversee the Community and Youth Services teams. I’m also involved in the Public Order team, and plan and oversee various events in Dunedin such as concerts and sports events at the stadium, and the various student events such as O-Week, the Hyde Street party and many more. I’m also the mobility lead for Southern. It’s great to see the focus on making things better for staff.

If you weren't a police officer, what would you be doing?

I’m not sure. I originally trained as a chef and then moved to hospitality management, so I would probably have ended up in the hospitality sector.

Tell us about your family and life outside work?

I’m lucky that I generally work 6.30am to 2.30pm, so am able to do school pickups. I have two daughters, aged 8 and 12. My time is spent at after-school activities (dancing – ballet, jazz and hiphop) and sports depending on the term/season (netball, water polo and swimming). I enjoy mountain biking so I look to have an event each year to train for (keeps me fit for the PCT) and I have organised mountain biking trips with staff, such as the Motatapu Mondraker event and trails such as The Old Ghost Road.

What's something most people don't know about you?

It’s probably that I was born in Rotorua or that I trained as a chef.

What's the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

My wife and I took a year’s leave without pay in 2007 and travelled around Europe while working. That whole year was one big adventure. A highlight for me was going to La Tomatina (the Tomato Festival) in Spain and basically having a food fight with thousands of people in 40-degree heat, and then trying to get the train back to our accommodation covered in tomatoes.