THE HISTORY OF THE BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA POLICE 1889-1980 - COMBINED EDITION

The History of the British South Africa Police. Combined edition.

Volume One - "The First Line of Defense " 1899-1903 by Peter Gibbs.

Volume Two - "The Right of the Line" 1903-1939 by Peter Gibbs.

Volume Three - " The End of the Line" 1939-1980 by Hugh Phillips.

FOREWORD

Included below is the Foreword to the combined edition by former Senior Assistant Commissioner Mr. George 'Bill' W.F. Ellway, PMM. President BSA Police Regimental Association Harare, October 2000.

"At the end of July 1980, the British South Africa Police ceased to exist and was replaced by the Zimbabwe Republic Police. The newly independent State of Zimbabwe had been born just over three months earlier and the new force was entrusted with the traditions and qualities that had been nurtured over the years since 1889.

Peter Gibbs, in two admirable volumes, here abridged, has encompassed the period from 1889 to 1939. Hugh Phillips, who served in the Force for 29 years, takes up the story and follows the fortunes of Rhodesia's 'First Line of Defence' until it reaches its own 'End of the Line' in 1980. This is a detailed history of a police force that, through circumstances not of its choosing, found itself cast in a very different role to that traditionally followed by other police forces. The book covers 41 years, of which the last eight saw the police moving along two very different paths.

It is a story of the men and women, African and European, who followed those two paths. It is the story of a police force that grew from small beginnings to become one of the most admired, professional and respected in the world.

It is a story with which many ex-policemen and women, many ex-Rhodesians and many Zimbabweans — and others too — will be able to identify, and with pride.

I am deeply honoured to have been asked to write this Foreword, not only in the hope that all who read 'End of the Line' will enjoy and feel a part of the memories that are evoked through its pages, but also because it will be published in the auspicious year during which our Honorary Commissioner, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother celebrates her 100th Birthday.

Lastly, all former members of the Force will no doubt be pleased to learn that the publisher and Hugh Phillips plan an edition largely concentrating on the history of the tens of thousands of Africans who served. We wish them well in this complex and worthy task."