Police writer

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 242, 10 May 1988, Page 10

Police writer

The progress of policing in the Wanganui district during the last 100 years has been released in a limited edition collectors' book for the first time ever recorded. Senior Police Constable with the Wanganui City Police department, Charles Spicer, didn't started out to write a book. But the reluctant author contends: "While I gathered more and more information, my ideas changed and then there it was." Not only did he write what he refers to as his "first and last" book, but he also took on the massive task of publishing it. Mr Spicer has been in the police force for 29 years. The earlier years were spent in Waverley and since 1976, in Wanganui. 'Policing The River District' is an in-depth look at the work of the police force and how the district has changed over the last 100 years. The Waimarino district including Waiouru, Horopito and National Park, is comprehensively covered. The release of the book coincides with the centennial of the New

Zealand Police Force in 1986. Mr Spicer said he contacted everyone he thought could help for historical background on the Waimarino, including local historians Merrilyn George, Elizabeth Allen and Arthur Bates. His visit to the area last week was to promote saies. 'Policing The River District' goes on sale in local bookshops and police stations this week. Only 1000 copies of the book have been released and each edition numbered. The chronicling of police history for wider public release is relatively new, according to Mr Spicer. "The public will at last get an insight into the Police," he said. "I could have written about the criminals and crimes but I wanted to concentrate on the men, women and civilians in the force. They're the people that matter." Mr Spicer contends that he has by no means tabled all there is to write about the area. "People who have read my book contacted me and offered more information. In fact, it looks like I'm collecting facts for another book in time for the next centennial."