Sole charge officer of the Owaka police station 50-year-old Senior Constable Riki Valentine has been in the police force for 18 years.
He and his wife Alicia moved from Tauranga where they have lived for over 30 years, and have been settling into Owaka.
Snr Const Valentine was looking for a change so he could focus on helping communities more deeply when he came across the job vacancy in South Otago.
He has had years of experience in frontline policing, traffic, court escort and riot squads, the latter seeing him involved in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and Navy protests in Auckland.
"I felt I could be doing more in my job and really focus on bettering my community. Other staff that had left the area made me think about the option of policing elsewhere.
"When I saw the opportunity open up here I was captivated instantly. I was really keen and knew I could use my full potential in the town.
"I haven’t been here long but the people have been friendly and approachable, and I’m certain they’ll be co-operative with me in keeping Owaka a safe place to live."
He has had a "hectic" start from making the entire trip down by vehicle to jumping into the job the next day and making connections within the community, but had "loved it so far".
"It’s been very refreshing to come down and slowly get established and get to know people. I haven’t had the chance to go hunting, fishing or diving which are my hobbies, but I’ll get around to it some time."
He was keen to settle within the community.
"I want to not just be the cop, I hope to be a mate too. I have an attitude-driven policing style and believe in giving people chances.
"I am firm but fair and I don’t take kindly to resisting arrest or assault. Yet I know I have to learn and adjust and make alterations to suit the people of Owaka."
"I look forward to meeting more of the community over time and becoming established within the role."
