Sgt Paget (37) started work as the new officer in charge of the Cromwell police station yesterday.
"It's a very different role here ... [in terms of] geography and demographics," he said.
Back in Rotorua a lot of his time was devoted to emergency response and dealing with gangs.
"[There was] a lot of gang-related offending up there.
"I can't say I'm sorry to leave that behind and I would hate to see it emerge here. There's a lot more community-based stuff here and that's what I wanted to do."
Although his role in Rotorua was similar, this will be the first time he has been in charge of a station.
He said his first challenge would be "learning a new beat".
However, he was looking forward to meeting people and learning how the Cromwell community worked.
He had been a police officer for the last 10 years and had worked as a data cable technician before that, but had wanted a more challenging career.
His wife, a former bank manager, and two sons, aged 14 and 3, have moved to Cromwell with him.
Central Otago sub area commander Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said he was happy to have Sgt Paget on board.
Sgt Paget was experienced and brought a wealth of policing knowledge, Snr Sgt Kerrisk said.
"He follows what I consider a very sound legacy of sergeants at Cromwell."
Steve Ereckson was head of the Cromwell station for "many years", Snr Sgt Kerrisk said.
He resigned in 2008 and was succeeded by Mike Williams, who resigned earlier this year.
For several months, Sergeant Andy Reed has been acting head of the Cromwell station.
Sgt Reed would now return to normal duties as community sergeant based in Alexandra, Snr Sgt Kerrisk said.
