Comments on: Talk at Borders http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230 A Fair Cop Blog Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:58:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Andy http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230&cpage=1#comment-5159 Andy Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:30:48 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230#comment-5159 Brilliant book, don't normally enjoy reading as a pastime but I demolished the book in a few days. Frightening to see how the job treated you and how easily it could be any of us that step forward each day. The Sgt who testified should hang her head in shame. Having ,probably like may other officers, been on the receiving end of a complaint of assault from some one attacking us for doing our job can fully empathise your experience. I was lucky and found the decent CPS who agree'd I acted lawfully but still had 6 months of worry during investigation . Hope beyond hope the decision of the case review is the only right one and then hopefully West Yorks may have to answer for their decision and the Judge will be made to look like the incompetent fool he was. All the best where ever your new life takes you Brilliant book, don’t normally enjoy reading as a pastime but I demolished the book in a few days. Frightening to see how the job treated you and how easily it could be any of us that step forward each day. The Sgt who testified should hang her head in shame. Having ,probably like may other officers, been on the receiving end of a complaint of assault from some one attacking us for doing our job can fully empathise your experience. I was lucky and found the decent CPS who agree’d I acted lawfully but still had 6 months of worry during investigation .
Hope beyond hope the decision of the case review is the only right one and then hopefully West Yorks may have to answer for their decision and the Judge will be made to look like the incompetent fool he was.
All the best where ever your new life takes you

]]> By: Michael http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230&cpage=1#comment-5020 Michael Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:03:38 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230#comment-5020 Hi Johno Thank you very much for your very kind comments. The fight for justice goes on and I hope to that one day anyone who acted dishonestly during the investigation will also be brought to justice. I was, and still am, appalled at the way I was treated as an employee and I intend to do something about it through right and proper legal process when my appeal is over. I would also add that there many prison officers that were very good to me, but you're right there were one or two thugs as well. Thanks again for your good wishes and I'll be sure to read your recommended website. Hi Johno

Thank you very much for your very kind comments. The fight for justice goes on and I hope to that one day anyone who acted dishonestly during the investigation will also be brought to justice. I was, and still am, appalled at the way I was treated as an employee and I intend to do something about it through right and proper legal process when my appeal is over.

I would also add that there many prison officers that were very good to me, but you’re right there were one or two thugs as well.

Thanks again for your good wishes and I’ll be sure to read your recommended website.

]]> By: johno http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230&cpage=1#comment-5019 johno Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:36:47 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230#comment-5019 Have just read your book. Very rarely do I pick a book up, in the shop, read the comments on the back and immediately have to but it. Its magnatism is the obvious injustice, good guy - bad guy scenario, whereby the criminal thug is beleived and the professional Police Officer is made an example of because he is a Police Officer. I served for 34 years in the Prison Service and have met every type of criminal from all walks of life. I am saddened by the treatment you received from some ignorant, brutish Prison Officers themselves having not one ounce of your integrity, courage and insight. I remain interested in your case and will be happy when such an injustice towards you will be put right. Paradoxically you have been forced to take a route in life which was probably destined for you and have now turned into such a postive contribution via your subsequent work. I wonder if you have read Erwin James website. He served a life sentence for murder and became a sucessful journalist and writer. Although he was guilty of his offences his contribution to society is similar to yours in certain aspects. Good luck to you. Johno Have just read your book. Very rarely do I pick a book up, in the shop, read the comments on the back and immediately have to but it. Its magnatism is the obvious injustice, good guy – bad guy scenario, whereby the criminal thug is beleived and the professional Police Officer is made an example of because he is a Police Officer. I served for 34 years in the Prison Service and have met every type of criminal from all walks of life. I am saddened by the treatment you received from some ignorant, brutish Prison Officers themselves having not one ounce of your integrity, courage and insight. I remain interested in your case and will be happy when such an injustice towards you will be put right. Paradoxically you have been forced to take a route in life which was probably destined for you and have now turned into such a postive contribution via your subsequent work.
I wonder if you have read Erwin James website. He served a life sentence for murder and became a sucessful journalist and writer. Although he was guilty of his offences his contribution to society is similar to yours in certain aspects.
Good luck to you.
Johno

]]> By: Chris http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230&cpage=1#comment-4979 Chris Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:26:21 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230#comment-4979 Mick, Chilling account, I read the book in two days. It had haunting similarities to my own experience in Jan 2000, as a Sgt I was accused of an assault, mine was not a case of self defence, it was mistaken id. We went to Magistrates, where a District Judge presided, he had in the recent past in open court past made derogatory comments about the honesty of police officers! He decided I was guilty, despite no id evidence, and handed down a six month sentence to me. I went straight to appeal at Crown, with a fantastic barrister Daffid Jones. This took two years, and in the mean time evidence that undermined the prosecution case came to light, this had been known to Professional Standards but had not been disclosed at the first trial. I basically had someone unknown to me get their hands on some notes that were taken by an investigating officer, which learly showed that I could not have been the person who assaulted the victim. My barrister ambushed that officer while he was in the dock giving evidence a Crown Court. The case was dismissed, and there was no discipline. To make matters worse my mum died suddenly the night before my Crown Court appeal, the response from one senior officer who has since gone on to greater things, was to telephone me the day after the result to tell me I was expected back into work on Monday to be reinstated (I'd been suspended for six months), but in his very own words stated ''if you chose to go sick then please don't milk it''. I did go back on the Monday. I just did not have any fight left in me to challenge what had gone on in the investigation by PSD. I am a pretty tough cookie, but I was a broken man during those two years, like you I was absolutely terrified of how to survive in prison. My utmost respect for you to have come out the other side and move on. Whilst I am still policing, there is rarely a day goes by without a flashback to those dark times. Mick,
Chilling account, I read the book in two days. It had haunting similarities to my own experience in Jan 2000, as a Sgt I was accused of an assault, mine was not a case of self defence, it was mistaken id. We went to Magistrates, where a District Judge presided, he had in the recent past in open court past made derogatory comments about the honesty of police officers! He decided I was guilty, despite no id evidence, and handed down a six month sentence to me. I went straight to appeal at Crown, with a fantastic barrister Daffid Jones. This took two years, and in the mean time evidence that undermined the prosecution case came to light, this had been known to Professional Standards but had not been disclosed at the first trial. I basically had someone unknown to me get their hands on some notes that were taken by an investigating officer, which learly showed that I could not have been the person who assaulted the victim. My barrister ambushed that officer while he was in the dock giving evidence a Crown Court. The case was dismissed, and there was no discipline. To make matters worse my mum died suddenly the night before my Crown Court appeal, the response from one senior officer who has since gone on to greater things, was to telephone me the day after the result to tell me I was expected back into work on Monday to be reinstated (I’d been suspended for six months), but in his very own words stated ”if you chose to go sick then please don’t milk it”. I did go back on the Monday. I just did not have any fight left in me to challenge what had gone on in the investigation by PSD. I am a pretty tough cookie, but I was a broken man during those two years, like you I was absolutely terrified of how to survive in prison. My utmost respect for you to have come out the other side and move on. Whilst I am still policing, there is rarely a day goes by without a flashback to those dark times.

]]> By: Hayley http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230&cpage=1#comment-4946 Hayley Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:57:18 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230#comment-4946 I've just read your book and can't believe what you've been through! I have so much respect for the police and all officers who put their lives at risk each and every day doing the job they do. I feel so shocked and sickened by the way you were been treated by the CPS and those at the top in The West Yorkshire Police service - they should be so ashamed at the way they've treated you - letting you go to prison and suffer like that. What is the law coming to locking up an officer and letting the real criminals walk free with light sentences! Your book was a great read - i couldn't put it down til i'd finished it, you've touched my heart. You've done so well to get through those hard times and with publishing your book. You deserve a happy future. God bless to you and your family after what you've been through and good luck with your appeal with the Criminal Case Review Commission. I’ve just read your book and can’t believe what you’ve been through! I have so much respect for the police and all officers who put their lives at risk each and every day doing the job they do.

I feel so shocked and sickened by the way you were been treated by the CPS and those at the top in The West Yorkshire Police service – they should be so ashamed at the way they’ve treated you – letting you go to prison and suffer like that. What is the law coming to locking up an officer and letting the real criminals walk free with light sentences!

Your book was a great read – i couldn’t put it down til i’d finished it, you’ve touched my heart.

You’ve done so well to get through those hard times and with publishing your book.

You deserve a happy future.

God bless to you and your family after what you’ve been through and good luck with your appeal with the Criminal Case Review Commission.

]]> By: Philip Baildon http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230&cpage=1#comment-4906 Philip Baildon Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:21:28 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230#comment-4906 Hello Michael I bought your book in the Tesco at Tidworth where I just happened to be. I started reading it when I went to bed and could not put it down. I read half through it and then tried to sleep! Unsuccesfully can I say. My service was spent in West Yorkshire and my feelings about what happened to you are the same as all the other officers writing comments on your website. Im now passing the book onto my son's to read. All officers whether serving or prospective should read your book and take heed of what injustices can happen to them in the name of the law! Best of luck for your future. Philip Baildon Hello Michael
I bought your book in the Tesco at Tidworth where I just happened to be. I started reading it when I went to bed and could not put it down. I read half through it and then tried to sleep! Unsuccesfully can I say.
My service was spent in West Yorkshire and my feelings about what happened to you are the same as all the other officers writing comments on your website. Im now passing the book onto my son’s to read. All officers whether serving or prospective should read your book and take heed of what injustices can happen to them in the name of the law!
Best of luck for your future. Philip Baildon

]]> By: Alex http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230&cpage=1#comment-4901 Alex Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:53:11 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230#comment-4901 Mike, My wife bought me your paperback to read on holiday in Spain. I got so engrossed Ifinished it in a day. I couldn't put it down. I served with Fife Constabulary for 30yrs and in Guernsey for 7yrs. Through these years I have seen the tide turning against Police Officers and the offenders being listened to too much. Like others I am glad that others saw the injustice in your sentence and helped you. I hope that your appeal is successful and you are vindicated. It is unfortunate that a few of your then colleagues were not as supportive. All the best for the future. Maybe I'll be in the area of one of your talks sometime and i would be glad to attend. Mike, My wife bought me your paperback to read on holiday in Spain. I got so engrossed Ifinished it in a day. I couldn’t put it down. I served with Fife Constabulary for 30yrs and in Guernsey for 7yrs. Through these years I have seen the tide turning against Police Officers and the offenders being listened to too much. Like others I am glad that others saw the injustice in your sentence and helped you. I hope that your appeal is successful and you are vindicated. It is unfortunate that a few of your then colleagues were not as supportive. All the best for the future. Maybe I’ll be in the area of one of your talks sometime and i would be glad to attend.

]]> By: Catherine http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230&cpage=1#comment-4897 Catherine Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:39:49 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230#comment-4897 Thank you Michael for your absolute bravery in writing this wonderful book. It is truely amazing how in this society we still as a judical system manage to screw the good guy completly! Yet let those who should be locked away, free to walk the streets. It is a crazy world we live in. It is a disgrace how you were treated but well done for standing strong even in your darkest days. What I am so shocked by is the fact that one of your own openly stood by your attacker. She should hang her head in shame. I have just lent the book to my dad who is a magistrate, who is totally gob smacked by your situation. Good luck to you and Rachel for the furture. Keep fighting and working hard you deserve to be happy. Thank you Michael for your absolute bravery in writing this wonderful book. It is truely amazing how in this society we still as a judical system manage to screw the good guy completly! Yet let those who should be locked away, free to walk the streets. It is a crazy world we live in.

It is a disgrace how you were treated but well done for standing strong even in your darkest days. What I am so shocked by is the fact that one of your own openly stood by your attacker. She should hang her head in shame.

I have just lent the book to my dad who is a magistrate, who is totally gob smacked by your situation.

Good luck to you and Rachel for the furture.
Keep fighting and working hard you deserve to be happy.

]]> By: Ian http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230&cpage=1#comment-4895 Ian Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:03:46 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230#comment-4895 I was given your book to read by a colleague and I must say what a fantastic read it was. I never read books but I just could not leave it down. It should be made into a movie! As a serving Police Officer I think what has been done to you is an absolute disgrace and I am so happy that your life is so much better now than it was when you were in prison. Shame on West Yorkshire Police Constabulary. Well Done Michael for sharing such an amazing story. Would love to meet you one day to shake your hand. I was given your book to read by a colleague and I must say what a fantastic read it was. I never read books but I just could not leave it down. It should be made into a movie! As a serving Police Officer I think what has been done to you is an absolute disgrace and I am so happy that your life is so much better now than it was when you were in prison. Shame on West Yorkshire Police Constabulary. Well Done Michael for sharing such an amazing story. Would love to meet you one day to shake your hand.

]]> By: Susy http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230&cpage=1#comment-4894 Susy Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:05:29 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=230#comment-4894 I am a student police officer and was shocked and horrified by what has happened to you. Your book is amazing and what you went through and how you have come through it is truly inspirational. I feel the same as Dawn above with her comments about whether it really is the right job. When you join up you have a fair idea of what you will deal with, but to have the thought that just by doing your job you were treated so badly and ended up in prison is the most outrageous thing I have ever heard. I truly admire your courage and determination. God bless you. I am a student police officer and was shocked and horrified by what has happened to you. Your book is amazing and what you went through and how you have come through it is truly inspirational. I feel the same as Dawn above with her comments about whether it really is the right job. When you join up you have a fair idea of what you will deal with, but to have the thought that just by doing your job you were treated so badly and ended up in prison is the most outrageous thing I have ever heard. I truly admire your courage and determination. God bless you.

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