From the head of a major organisation in Washington to an office in central Dunedin, Superintendent Mike Pannett has big goals.
The new Southern district commander took up his post this week, relieving acting district commander Inspector Jason Guthrie.
Insp Guthrie stood in for Superintendent Andrew Coster when he left in August last year after 22 months in the role.
Supt Pannett said he had high hopes for the district and was not planning on moving anytime soon.
"I love the place and the people. It's a great place to come back to once you've been overseas.''
The New Zealand Order of Merit recipient had spent the past four years as the New Zealand Police liaison officer in Washington, with his area including the United States, Canada and Central and South America.
He is a member of the International Chiefs of Police Committee on Terrorism, the International Policing Division Steering Committee and the Committee on Organised Crime.
He was also responsible for security co-ordination and planning of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, and was instrumental in the apprehension and return of convicted murderer Phillip John Smith.
Supt Pannett, who declined to give his age, entered the police force as a cadet in Wellington in 1980 before moving to Auckland and the move to Dunedin was somewhat of a return to his roots, he said.
"Initially, I was involved in community policing in rural areas. I like getting out and about, mixing with people. This was the job that offered that.''
He was "exposed to some pretty interesting stuff'' while working in Washington, notably the increased threats from both terrorism and transnational organised crime.
That had given him an insight in to dealing with different countries and cultures, he said.
While that was a world away from what he would likely be dealing with in southern New Zealand, Supt Pannett said there were similarities.
"Regardless of the size of the country or the organisation, people are still looking for the same thing. They want to know what the issues are for them.''
The main focus of his new role would be continuing to forge a strong relationship with local people and organisations, he said.
"There will be a focus on families. We want to be responsive to local needs and human needs. The relationship with people and organisations is central to everything we do.''
Provided that continued to be done, there was no limit to what the region could achieve, he said.
"I want the Southern district to be the safest place to live and work, not only in New Zealand, but potentially around the world - the potential for that is very high.''
Supt Pannett, originally from Northland, moved to Dunedin with his wife last week.
His children were "scattered across the country'' but he felt settled in the city, he said.
"I enjoy what I'm doing here and I want to take full advantage of it.
"I'm certainly looking forward to being a part of the community.''
