This month, we catch up with four of our hardworking North Shore Police staff to find out what first inspired them to join the police and what they enjoy doing to relax when they’re off duty.
Tania Wansink, Senior Constable and School Community Officer
Channel Mag: How long have you worked on the North Shore?
Tania Wansink: I have worked on the North Shore for over 30 years. I started my police career as a frontline officer based at the original Takapuna Police Station, and over the years I've been fortunate to work in a variety of roles including youth aid, motorways, and community policing. I grew up in Tauranga and was posted to Auckland after graduating from Police College. Looking back, it's been incredibly rewarding to spend so much of my career serving the North Shore community and building relationships with local schools, families and young people.
What do you enjoy most about your role on the North Shore?
What I enjoy most about being a School Community Officer is building genuine relationships with young people and being someone they know they can trust. I love being out in schools, getting to know the students, and being part of their everyday environment rather than only seeing them when there's a problem. For me, it’s all about supporting young people through challenges and helping them make safe and positive choices. I find it rewarding to work alongside schools, families and the wider community to make a difference in the lives of young people.
What originally inspired you to become a police officer?
After graduating from university, I was originally inspired to join the police to follow in the footsteps of my older brother, who was at Police College at the time. Seeing the opportunities he had and hearing about his experiences sparked my interest in policing. The more I looked into joining the police, the more I saw it as a career that was both meaningful and challenging. I was drawn to the fact that every day would be different and would bring opportunities to support people, keep communities safe, and make a positive difference in someone's life.
When you are not on the job, how do you like to spend your time?
Outside work, I love spending time with my family. One of my favourite things is getting everyone around to my place for a big catch-up dinner. With everyone's busy schedules, it's always nice to get together, share some good food, and have a laugh. I'm also a big fan of getting outdoors. My dog Gus makes sure I get out for a walk every day, and now that the longer spring and summer evenings are here, those walks are a regular part of my routine. It's a great way to unwind after a busy day and enjoy some fresh air. I like to keep active as well. At the moment, I'm training for and competing in a few local running events around Auckland, which gives me something to work towards outside work. I enjoy the challenge and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it. Over summer, I also like to dip my toes into a few triathlons. I'm certainly not chasing podiums, but I enjoy pushing myself and having fun along the way.
James Keene, Kaipatiki Community Constable
Channel Mag: How long have you worked on the North Shore?
James Keene: I have worked on the North Shore for my entire policing career, which is now a little over five years. During that time, I've had the opportunity to work in several different areas, including frontline, mental health co-response, motorway policing, and now community policing. Having grown up on the North Shore, serving this community is something that means a great deal to me. It's rewarding to be able to give back to the area that helped shape me and to work alongside the people who make it such a great place to live.
What do you enjoy most about your role on the North Shore?
The part I enjoy most is building relationships with people in the community. Every day is different, and I get the opportunity to meet residents, local businesses, schools and community groups from all walks of life. As a community constable, it's rewarding to work proactively to solve issues before they become bigger problems and to help people feel safe and connected within their neighbourhoods. The North Shore has a strong sense of community, and being part of that is something I really value.
What originally inspired you to become a police officer?
Becoming a police officer wasn't originally part of my plan. Before joining the police, I spent several years working in the trades and studying. A family member who works as a detective encouraged me to look into policing, and the more I learned about the role, the more it appealed to me. The variety of the job was what first attracted me. No two days are the same, and the role provides opportunities to make a genuine difference in people's lives. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I've made. It is both the most rewarding and the most exciting job I could ask for.
When you're not on the job, how do you like to spend your time?
Outside work, I enjoy staying active and spending time outdoors. You'll often find me training, getting out in nature, enjoying the beaches and reserves around the North Shore, or spending time with family and friends. Maintaining an active lifestyle helps me switch off from work and make the most of everything our local area has to offer. It's a privilege to serve the community I grew up in, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside local residents to help keep the North Shore a safe and vibrant place to live.
Troy Williamson, Senior Constable, North Shore Community Team
Channel Mag: How long have you worked on the North Shore?
Troy Williamson: I've worked on Auckland's North Shore for approximately 20 years and have held a variety of policing roles during that time. My experience includes frontline 111 response, the Public Safety Team, Road Policing, and the Police Support Unit. More recently, I've been part of the North Shore Community Team, based at the Browns Bay Policing Centre. Originally from the Bay of Plenty, I completed my recruitment process through Tauranga before moving north to begin my policing career in Auckland. The North Shore has been my home for the past two decades, and I've enjoyed building strong connections within the community through a range of operational and community-focused roles. Although I now call the North Shore home, I regularly return to Pāpāmoa to spend time with family and enjoy the coastline, which has many similarities to the beachside communities I work alongside in Browns Bay and the wider North Shore area.
What do you enjoy most about your role on the North Shore?
What I enjoy most about my role is the opportunity to work closely with the community. Every day brings the chance to meet different people, partner with local organisations, and help find solutions that make our neighbourhoods safer. Whether it's supporting crime prevention initiatives, increasing visibility to deter offending, or assisting vulnerable members of the community, it's rewarding to see the positive impact our work can have. I also enjoy the variety the role offers. From local operations and community events to major concerts and visits from dignitaries, no two days are ever the same. Despite the variety, the purpose remains clear: working together to keep the North Shore a safe and great place to live, work, and visit.
What originally inspired you to become a police officer?
I've wanted to become a police officer for as long as I can remember. Growing up, we had close family friends in the role, so I was exposed to the police family from a young age. My mother also worked for the police in the Bay of Plenty, which further strengthened my interest in pursuing a policing career. After completing my tertiary education, I spent several years travelling and working in ski fields as a snowboard instructor, while also chasing waves whenever I could, as surfing has always been a passion of mine. Although I enjoyed those experiences, I always knew that one day I would return home and join the police. When the time came, it felt like the natural next step and the career I had been working towards all along.
When you're not on the job, how do you like to spend your time?
When I'm not at work, most of my time is spent with my family. I have two children who are heavily involved in sport through both their school and club teams, and as many parents will know, the struggle of being a taxi driver is very real! We also spend a lot of time around the water. My kids have grown up surfing, and it's something we still enjoy together whenever we can. You'll often find us on the West Coast at Muriwai, Piha, or Raglan, and when the conditions are right, we'll surf locally or explore breaks along the north-east coast. I also have a very active German Shorthaired Pointer named Tahoe, who keeps me on my toes. We regularly get out for runs around Milford and Takapuna beaches, so if you happen to see us out and about, feel free to give us a friendly wave.
Ben Heap, North Shore Beat Team Constable
Channel Mag: How long have you worked on the North Shore?
Ben Heap: I’ve been a police officer for eight years, with the past three years or so spent working in a community-focused role on the North Shore, aside from a few months working in the city and on the motorways. Before joining the police, I’d never lived in the area. I grew up in the south before moving to the coast as an adult. Over the years, the North Shore has become home, both personally and professionally, and I wouldn’t want to live or work anywhere else.
What do you enjoy most about your role on the North Shore?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is working on the Community Beat Team, which also operates as a field training unit. This gives me the opportunity to work alongside and mentor new constables who have recently graduated from Police College. Their enthusiasm, fresh perspectives, and excitement about policing are infectious. The job exposes officers to some challenging aspects of society that many people never experience, and over time, that can take its toll. Working with new constables and seeing their passion for the role helps reinvigorate my own enthusiasm and reminds me what makes this job so rewarding.
What originally inspired you to become a police officer?
There wasn’t one defining moment that inspired me to join the police. In all honesty, the decision came from a desire for a career change. I was 27 and had spent the previous 10 years working as a chef. With a young family, I needed to consider a career that offered a different future. The opportunity to train while being paid, combined with the appeal of the role itself, made policing an attractive option. Eight years on, I’m grateful I took that leap. What began as a practical decision to change careers has developed into a profession I genuinely value and am proud to be part of.
When you’re not on the job, how do you like to spend your time?
Outside work, much of my time revolves around taking my children to their seemingly never-ending list of extracurricular activities! When I get some down-time, I enjoy gaming, whether that’s board games or video games. Our current family favourite is Wyrmspan. I also enjoy the occasional round of golf when time allows.
