Const Bentley has joined the Oamaru police from Auckland and is looking forward to a change of lifestyle and a completely different environment.
Const Bentley (31) was one of 77 new constables, in Wing 282, to graduate from the Royal New Zealand Police College in February.
After graduation, he was posted to Auckland, but, originally from Otago, he was drawn to an opening at the Oamaru Police Station.
Since leaving Otago Boys' High School, he had mostly worked in the construction industry, but a career in the police force had always been in the back of his mind.
''I got to the point where I'd travelled a bit overseas [and] got enough life experience for me to think that I was good enough to be effective [in the police force].''
Auckland was full-on, but he enjoyed the experience.
''It's one of the best places in the country to learn all aspects of policing and the law because of the variety and volume of crime up there,'' he said.
The variety of work, the nature of the job, the future opportunities and the chance to make a difference in peoples' lives had attracted him to the police force.
He is based in Dunedin, with his family, and travels to Oamaru for the job.
Const Bentley, who started on Monday, said the Oamaru station provided a good working environment.
''I really like Oamaru. Already after the first day, I sense a very strong community feel. There's a close connection with the police and other community groups, and it's a lot easier to get around than Auckland,'' he said.
