Blonde, blue-eyed and back in blue

Wellsford Police Station’s new boss Sergeant Kellie Bissett is looking forward to being involved in front-line policing again.

Aussie-born Sgt Bissett has spent the past eight years as a plain clothes detective in the city.

“I’m excited to be here, not just because it’s a refreshing change from CIB work, but also because it’s the first time I’ve lived outside the city and worked in a small rural community,” she says. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the town and becoming part of it.”

She says the post also presents particular challenges.
“We’ve got to be pretty self-reliant as any form of back-up is a long way away. From what I’ve seen so far – it’s only my seventh day in the job – I’ve an amazing team and a lot of community support.”

Heading up the Wellsford station means that Sgt Bissett has eight officers under her command, including two at the sub-station in Mangawhai. It is her first job as a sergeant and her first officer-in-charge position. She is also the first woman to head the station in Wellsford.

Sgt Bissett’s husband is also a police officer, based at Orewa, and they have a young daughter.

She is looking forward to more regular hours in her new role, after 12 years of shift work. Not that she ever completely switches off when she’s not working.

“I think you’re always a police officer and it’s hard not to respond if you see someone doing something unlawful, though it’s not always appropriate to intervene if you’re not in uniform. It’s about having a sense of justice really and not liking to see one person committing an offence against another or their property.

“I just love what I do; no two days are the same and you never know what challenges you will face.”

Sgt Bissett replaces Sgt Paul Walker, who has returned to the UK.

Sergeant Kellie Bissett, of Wellsford Police.