Tauranga’s Detective Inspector Lewis Warner joined the police by chance, “and it wasn’t my intention to stay in as long as I have”.

Lewis has received an Order of Merit for his services in the New Zealand Police and the community.

“I was born and raised in Raetihi. I joined the New Zealand Police in 1983. I’ve been living in Tauranga since 1996.

“I have 41 years in the police, with 30 years in the CIB. In working terms, I have seen the worst of the worst.”

Lewis says his parents instilled a strong sense of what is right and that has stayed with me all my life.

He says his primary role is to work for the victim whoever that may be. 

“I love putting the jigsaw together and there is no better feeling than making the bad person accountable.

“I enjoy the chase. I love it when we have worked on a difficult case whether it be a murder, or another serious crime and we hold the people responsible to account.”

He says this is often done by a tight-knit team working together. 

“The camaraderie within the police is special, we really are a family. 

“Often what we do gives the victim or victim's family some form of closure.”

Over his four decades in the police, Lewis says he has seen technologies develop to become vital for investigations.

“We have gone from manual typewriters to computers, the invention of cell phones and their everyday use.   

“The tactical options now available to Police Officers are so different to when I started. When I started we went to work with a wooden baton, a notebook and a torch.

“Technology is an integral part of investigations in policing these days.”

Lewis has been a Detective Inspector since 2016 and has been in his current role for three years.

“I am the Crime Services Manager for the Bay of Plenty District.

“I currently have oversite of all serious crime for the Bay of Plenty policing district. 

“This includes homicides, sexual abuse, and other serious crime.

“Since 2016, I’ve been involved in almost all of the homicide investigations across the Bay of Plenty, whether that’s hands-on or in an oversite role.

“My primary role is ensuring the welfare of our people – we have outstanding investigators working right across the Bay.”

Lewis says he has been involved in many serious investigations and it is difficult to highlight one.

“There have been so many.  For me, the highlight has always been about the team and how we collectively deal with some terrible crimes. 

“My staff’s welfare is very important to me. The things they see and are exposed to are not normal and it is important they are supported. It can be a tough job. The police have some amazing people.

“There have been so many serious and complex investigations I have worked on; each has given its own satisfaction.”

Lewis says his greatest achievement in the field “has been working with some amazing people, not just Police Officers, but members of the community and the many crown solicitors.

“Another highlight is watching the people you have supervised excel in their various areas within Police and knowing you have assisted them to get to where they are.”

Lewis aims to continue to work hard for the communities across the Bay of Plenty to make them safer. 

He says when he retires, he looks forward to spending more time with his family.

“My family is the most important thing to me. They are the reason I have been able to do what I have.  I know it hasn’t always been easy being a Policeman’s wife or a Policeman’s child.   

“I now have three gorgeous grandkids which is a new chapter.”

Lewis says it is humbling to receive this recognition.

“I did not see this coming, nor did I expect it. When you look at others who have received this award, it is even more humbling.

“I had no idea it was coming until I received an email from the Governor General’s office.”

To aspiring police, Lewis says: “I have had so many different careers within Police.  That is the beauty of Policing - there are many options.

“Make sure you enjoy your work and have fun. Treat people how you would like to be treated. Importantly ensure you live the police values.”

“This includes homicides, sexual abuse, and other serious crime.

“Since 2016, I’ve been involved in almost all of the homicide investigations across the Bay of Plenty, whether that’s hands-on or in an oversite role.

“My primary role is ensuring the welfare of our people – we have outstanding investigators working right across the Bay.”

He says he has been involved in many serious investigations and it was difficult to highlight one.

“There have been so many. For me, the highlight has always been about the team and how we collectively deal with some terrible crimes.

“My staff’s welfare is very important to me. The things they see and are exposed to are not normal and it is important they are supported. It can be a tough job. The police have some amazing people.

“There have been so many serious and complex investigations I have worked on; each has given its own satisfaction.”

Detective Inspector Lew Warner gives evidence at the coroner's inquest into the death of Moko Rangitoheriri held at the Rotorua District Court. Photo: Alan Gibson.

Lewis says his greatest achievement in the field “has been working with some amazing people, not just police officers, but members of the community and the many Crown Solicitors.

“Another highlight is watching the people you have supervised excel in their various areas within police and knowing you have assisted them to get to where they are.”

He aimed to continue to work hard for the communities across the Bay of Plenty to make them safer.

And when he’s done,He said when he retired he would look forward to spending more time with his family.

“My family is the most important thing to me. They are the reason I have been able to do what I have. I know it hasn’t always been easy being a policeman’s wife or a policeman’s child.

“I now have three gorgeous grandkids which is a new chapter.”

To get to where he was, he said it had taken hard work and his bosses assisting him.

By the time he He wanted to do the best he could to ensure victims and their families were the primary focus before he retired.

“What we do every day is to assist victims and their families.”

Warner said it was very humbling to receive the hounour recognition.

“I did not see this coming, nor did I expect it. When you look at others who have received this award, it is even more humbling.

“I had no idea it was coming until I received an email from the Governor General’s office.”

Warner said that what made him stand out in the field is how he genuinely cared about the communities he worked in and the staff he worked with.

To aspiring police, Warner said “I have had so many different careers within police. That is the beauty of policing - there are many options.

“Make sure you enjoy your work and have fun. Treat people how you would like to be treated. Importantly ensure you live the police values.”