Signing off from the port town beat

One day you could be locking somebody up, the next day you could be shopping beside them in the supermarket.

Such is life on the beat in a small town like Picton, says Sergeant Kris Payne. And it’s these little quirks that Payne says he will miss most.

‘‘It’s a different style of policing in a small town. As station boss you can get a call anytime with anything and you’ve got to be there.’’

After 10 years in the job, the former Aucklander is preparing to say ‘goodbye’ for a new role in Hawke’s Bay.

Payne started in Picton as a Constable in 2007 before moving onto detective work.

Cannabis seizures, murder investigations and serial burglaries were some of the cases Payne was proud to have tackled during his tenure.

He had overseen the running of the station for the past six years, in an area that comprised 20 per cent of the nation’s coastline.

‘‘It’s a huge area, my range is basically what you see on the map of the Marlborough Sounds,’’ he said.

‘‘But I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here, the support we have from the community is great and I’ll definitely miss that side of things.’’

Payne had seen the portside town change over the years, and said the changes had been for the better.

Improvements to lighting and the introduction of CCTV cameras made it easier to patrol the waterfront.

Payne would leave with his wife Amber and their three children, aged 9, 10, and 11, while his 21-year-old daughter stayed in Marlborough.

‘‘It will be sad to leave her and the close friends we’ve met here,’’ he said.

‘‘But it’s time to move on, Picton is in good shape and someone else can lead it into the future.’’

The interview process for Payne’s replacement was ongoing, he said.