Born in Hobart, policing was not his first career choice.

When he left school, he attended university.

"My last job was working in the deli at Woolworths," Constable Woodgate said.

But then a good friend joined the force and policing started to sound like a good idea.

"The more I saw and talked to him about it, the more I liked it," Constable Woodgate said.

"The variety of work that was available, the different people I would get to meet and help, really appealed to me.

"I've now worked in different areas of policing and loved each of them."

Constable Woodgate said it was important to be self-reliant when working in a community-based role.

"The biggest challenge has been adjusting to a completely different style of policing," he said.

"Becoming a jack-of-all trades is a necessity when working in a country area.

"I like that you get to know everyone and everyone gets to know you.

"I think that being a police officer in a small community makes you a bit more approachable to people."

Constable Woodgate recommended the force to anyone who wanted a great career path that was also challenging.

"It can be confronting at times, but ultimately it is a very fulfilling and rewarding job," he said.

"I've made some great friendships within the job that will last a lifetime."

Asked if he had any lighter moments to share, Constable Woodgate said the "strange positions" that two people could end up in, while inside a car in a dark corner of a car park at night, never ceased to amaze him.