Trevor Beatson Snr had served 38 years when he retired as the Rotorua Police District Commander in May 1996, one week before his son graduated from the Royal New Zealand Police College.
"One piece of advice Dad gave me before I joined was to get a degree or trade behind me.
The folly of youth meant I passed on that, and I recruited as soon as I was able to, after a year at university [studying Maori and politics] and two years on a Latter Day Saints church volunteer mission," he said.
After nine years in Rotorua he transferred to Kaitaia, having developed a passion for detective work and serious crime.
"Rotorua was a great training ground for serious crime, and I was exposed very early on in my career to everything I needed to learn the trade - gangs, drugs, alcohol, population and a deep, dark, hard core criminal element," he added.
The move to Kaitaia was driven by promotion and a desire to work in "paradise" while living closer to family, with initial approval from his wife Danielle to remain in the Far North for three years.
"The Beatsons are from Ahipara, and we have holidayed here my whole life, so it seemed like a great move to live a coastal lifestyle, raise a family, and get ahead with my career," he said.
Three years stretched into 12 years, and there were no regrets. Kaitaia, community and police, had been very good to him and his family; "Kaitaia, Ahipara, the Far North is home to us. Our kids have been through kura and college here, and we have made many, many awesome connections in the North."
Things had changed significantly over the last 12 years though.
"When I came north it seemed like the criminals were about 10 years behind the rest of the country," he said.
"They were honest when you caught them, admitted their crimes, pleaded guilty at court, and then called you bro when you saw them later at Pak'nSave or at the market.
Most people offended to survive, or put bread on the table and feed their kids.
"That's changed over the last few years, with hard core criminals moving into or back to the North, greedily peddling P, creating addictions, destroying families and forcing labels on our home town, from Cannabis County to New Zealand's murder capital.
What we've seen in Kaitaia and the Far North in recent years are learnt behaviours from other places, much of it from organised crime groups intent on preying on communities like ours."
He was proud to have been one of those who had worked to counter those negative influences.
"If the community could see behind the walls of the police station they would see men and women who care deeply for the people of the Far North," he said.
"They are hard-working, committed professionals who day in and day out do their best to keep Kaitaia and the Far North as safe as they can. I specifically speak of the detectives and investigators, men and women I worked with every day, and acknowledge the awesome privilege of working with the team I am leaving behind."
Resigning and retirement were not the same things though.
"I'm not retiring," he added.
"I have been given an awesome opportunity to work with a good mate, inspirational and innovative leader, Dr Lance O'Sullivan, and his team. Lance's web-based health application iMOKO is gaining real traction, and improving the health and lives of many Northland and Kiwi kids.
"Taking a major position with iMOKO, as national operations manager, is a little daunting, and although I have limited knowledge of the health and technology sectors, I learn fast, and the kaupapa is awesome.
"And because of the technology involved we won't be leaving the Far North. We'll be staying here."
And he had some final words of advice for those considering a career in the police.
"Do it!" he said.
"It's a great job, with great people, great work stories and great benefits. Just be sure to get a degree or trade behind you first."
And to those who might knock the local 'bobbies' - "Our local cops carry more then their fair share of the load. They punch well above their weight in terms of quantity and quality of work. We are well served."
