Haven't I seen you somewhere?

Sergeant Bruce Martin, of the Alexandra-based rural drink-drive team, is a regular feature on the...
Sergeant Bruce Martin, of the Alexandra-based rural drink-drive team, is a regular feature on the television show Highway Cops. Photo supplied.

A recent Australian tourist looked at Sergeant Bruce Martin and said ''you're that guy from Highway Cops''.

Police reality shows build trust

The amiable officer has appeared regularly with his Alexandra-based rural drink-drive team on the popular television reality show, which screens in New Zealand and Australia.

The show rated well on both sides of the Tasman, and during the recent Queenstown Winter Festival he met an Australian tourist at a checkpoint who recognised him.

''You're that guy from Highway Cops. We watch your show in Australia,'' she said as she requested a photo with the officer.

Sgt Martin said while some staff took some convincing to appear on the show, officers recognised it ''was good PR''.

Ever since the show screened, he had received positive feedback from the public, even those nabbed in front of the cameras.

''If we can just save just one life from people watching the show and thinking I won't take that risk anymore, then we have achieved something.''

While he was yet to have a ''blow on the pie'' moment - in reference to a Police Ten 7 comment from an officer which went viral - he was particularly proud of a yet-to-be-featured clip of some Balclutha men dancing to Gangnam Style.

''It is really funny.''

The Central Otago-based officers also featured in the documentary Five Days in the Red Zone, about officers dispatched to Christchurch following the February 22, 2011, earthquake.

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