Detective Sergeant Rob Lemoto has been named as the new host for television show Police Ten 7. Photo/Supplied
Detective Sergeant Rob Lemoto has been named as the new host for television show Police Ten 7. Photo/Supplied
One of Tauranga's top cops has been named as the new host of popular crime television show Police Ten 7.
Detective Sergeant Rob Lemoto will replace well-known police identity and former Rotorua cop Graham Bell, who hosted the show for more than 12 years.
Mr Lemoto is based in theBay of Plenty and he has operated in a variety of policing roles, including iwi liaison and community constable in Te Puke to a member of the Armed Offenders Squad, and even a secondment to Bougainville, Papua New Guinea for seven months as part of the NZ Police Mentoring Programme.
Mr Lemoto has spent nearly 20 years in the police, the majority of which has been dealing with serious crime. Joining the Ten 7 team brings Mr Lemoto full circle as he first appeared on the show in 2004 when he investigated an aggravated robbery at a McDonalds in his hometown.
Mr Lemoto grew up in Manurewa, South Auckland where there was a gang element in his neighbourhood. It was seeing the police hold gangs to account that inspired Mr Lemoto to join the police at age 21. After graduating, Mr Lemoto spent the first part of his career working in general duties dealing with the very gangs that he watched being arrested by police as a kid. Mr Lemoto then joined the CIB where he trained to become a detective investigating serious violence, sex offences, robberies, drugs, organised crime, and homicides.
Mr Lemoto said of the opportunity to host Police Ten 7: "I really respect everything Ten 7 has achieved and can't wait to be part of a team that makes those responsible for crime and anti-social behaviour in our communities accountable for their actions."
TVNZ factual entertainment commissioner Kathryn Graham said of the appointment: "We're so excited to have Rob on board. Rob is an extremely talented officer, and his insights will no doubt strike a chord with Ten 7 audiences."
Mr Lemoto's first episode will be broadcast on TV2 this week on Thursday, September 18 at 7.30pm.
Police Ten 7 is a Screentime production. Currently in its 21st season, Police Ten 7 has been broadcast on TV2 for the past 13 years. The show has achieved an average audience of 518,600 people per episode in 2014 (AP 5+).
