Former cop turned publican Gavin Benney has been amazed at the response to the release of his book.
The 52-year-old, who quit Northland police two years ago, this week released his book Country Cop - The life and times of a rural cop, about his 30 years on the beat.
He spent 23 years at the rural Hikurangi station with fellow Senior Constable Russell Rawiri.
It is an honest and often frank account of working for police in Northland. Mr Benney held a book launch at The Judge on Thursday night which was attended by about 80 people.
"It's difficult putting a piece of work out there for public scrutiny," Mr Benney said yesterday.
"Although I'm a bit out there, I'm private so it's been a tough thing to do."
He said most of the feedback he had received had been positive but there were also those negative views. "People are going to take from this what they want. I'm proud of the way I served my community and this is some of what I experienced."
He said serving officers had contacted him, as had retired colleagues, to compliment him on speaking out about the issues police were facing.
Reporters from current affairs programme Seven Sharp had also contacted him about running a story.
What next - a movie? "I'll play my part but, if I'm busy, George Clooney could step in," Mr Benney joked.
The book is stocked in Whitcoulls and at The Judge and is being snapped up by local readers. A version will also be available electronically in a few days.
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