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Police across New Zealand are paying tribute to former Detective Inspector Graham Bell QSM, the legendary investigator and long-time Police Ten 7 host.
Bell died in Hospice Waikato on Tuesday October 7 at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer.
In the latest release of its Ten One Magazine, police explain that Bell joined police in 1968 and rose through the ranks to lead the Rotorua CIB, overseeing some of the country’s toughest investigations, including the murders of Beverly Bouma, Joanne van Duyvenbooden, and Constable Murray Stretch.
His dedication earned him the Queen’s Service Medal in 2001 for services to policing and investigations.
After retiring, Bell helped develop and front Police Ten 7, the long-running TV series that brought police work into Kiwi living rooms.
From 2002 to 2014, his no-nonsense style and colourful phrases — calling offenders “gutless goons”, “ratbags” and “mongrels” — turned the show into a national institution and helped generate crucial leads for investigations.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said Bell was “someone I certainly looked up to … for his passion for policing and drive to hold some of our worst offenders to account.”
Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson described him as “a dedicated investigator who cared greatly about his teams and the victims of serious crime.”
Colleagues recalled his charisma, loyalty and instinct for connecting with people. “He was probably ahead of his time in using the media for serious crime,” said Detective Inspector Lew Warner, while Rob Lemoto, who succeeded Bell as Police Ten 7 host, credited him with “making it cool for people to call police again.”
Police say Bell’s legacy as a champion for victims, an authentic voice for policing, and a bridge between the force and the public remains deeply woven into New Zealand’s crime-fighting story. He is survived by his wife Joyce, their children and grandchildren.
