Former Wallaceburg police officer Mark Aarssen. Former Wallaceburg police officer Mark Aarssen.
Sarnia

Retired Wallaceburg cop holding book signing in Sarnia

A former small-town cop turned author will be in Sarnia this Saturday for a book signing.

Mark Aarssen's book, An Onion Under Glass, is a story of his adventures and misadventures as a young police officer in his hometown of Wallaceburg.

"It is full of funny and dramatic episodes and self-deprecating humor. Things like making mistakes -- big mistakes -- arrests that went wrong, unintentional cannibalism and stuff like that," said Aarssen in an interview with Sarnia News Today.

Aarssen is a retired constable who spent 12 years with the Wallaceburg Police Service.

He said his memoir-style book is meant to re-engage readers in people's humanity towards one another.

"After the pandemic we were forced to be separated from one another and this book reminds us about the humour of human interaction and the silly, honest things that happen everyday and how we need to be, maybe laugh again, and laugh at ourselves first before somebody else does."

Aarssen said for years, family and friends had been asking him to put his police adventures into a book and that the pandemic gave him the time to do just that.

He said the book helps readers empathize with police officers.

"They'll probably, maybe even see a loved one or a family member who has served in policing in some of the characters."

Aarssen said everything in policing has changed since 1990 and that it needed to change.

"We didn't have computers, we didn't have non-lethal force, like pepper spray or bulletproof vests back then, we didn't have tasers even and stun-guns and stuff like that. So, really the toolbox for police officers has changed so much."

Aarssen also had some advice for young police officers.

"Even though you may not even been seeking it, other people will seek you out for a romantic interest just because you're in a uniform. You don't even have to be a good-looking guy and I'm not kidding you -- you put on that uniform and all of a sudden they start chasing you and sometimes you don't need that attention."

Aarssen will be at the Coles in Lambton Mall Saturday, July 30 from noon to 2 p.m. for a book signing and meet and greet.

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