Waiouru police up to strength

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 392, 25 June 1991, Page 4

Waiouru police up to strength

by

joanna

saunders

After working solo for four months, constable Pat Tasker finally has a helping hand from Constable Chris Scales. Chris transferred to Waiouru from Taumarunui, bringing with him his wife Susan and their two children Jessica, 6, and Courtney, 2. Chris has been in the police force two years, serving most of that time in Taumarunui. Prior to this Chris was in the Army. Having been a territorial soldier for two years, then in the Regular Force for

eight years, as a gunner then as an MP, Chris understands the military system well. One of Chris' ambitions while in Waiouru is to develop a closer relationship with the community. Not many people know that there is a civilian police force in Waiouru and as such Chris and Pat often get left out. Many call for help, including burglary, disputes, and trespassing are often redirectd to them from other sources. Sometimes this information is third or fourth hand and subject to drastic changes. It would be more helpful if people would phone directly to

the police station, said Chris. Although the 'bad' jobs are part of police work, Chris' chief coricerns lie in community welfare. With once being in the Army and often away from home and family, Chris believes that stress and loneliness are the main causes of problems within Waiouru and is keen to help anyone in need of a talk. Chris and Pat are available 24 hours a day. The police station is situated at 17 Rangipo Street, opposite the railway and the phone number is 56 884.