Tauranga Detective Sergeant Rob Lemoto is the new frontman for top rating show Police Ten 7.

After nearly 20 years in the police, the majority of which has been dealing with serious crime, joining the Ten 7 team brings Rob full circle.

Tauranga's own top cop Detective Sergeant Rob Lemoto.

The former Te Puke community constable first appeared on the show in 2004 as he investigated an aggravated robbery at a McDonald's in his hometown.

Rob is thrilled to have secured the new role, replacing former host Graham Bell.

'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.”

Rob 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 Rob to join the police at age 21.

After graduating, Rob spent the first part of his career working in general duties, dealing with the very gangs he watched being arrested by police as a kid.

Rob then joined the CIB where he trained to become a detective investigating serious violence, sex offences, robberies, drugs, organised crime, and homicides.

Now based in the Bay of Plenty, Rob's career has seen him occupy a variety of roles within the police, from iwi liaison, to a member of the Armed Offenders Squad.

He also completed a secondment to Bougainville, Papua New Guinea for seven months as part of the NZ Police Mentoring Programme.

TVNZ factual entertainment commissioner Kathryn Graham is 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.”

Rob's first episode will be broadcast on TV 2, 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 last 13 years.

The show has achieved an average audience of 518,600 people per episode in 2014.