Comments on: 4,000 Emails and Counting… http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238 A Fair Cop Blog Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:58:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: steve http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238&cpage=1#comment-5400 steve Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:47:20 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238#comment-5400 Michael, I am a serving police officer and ashamed at the way officers are treated when they really need help from the upper ranks, they all cover their own back sides, I really admire you not only for serving your time and writing a book, but for the way you wrote it telling of your agony and the way in which you wanted to end it all, you have guts mate, i wonder how i would stand up if confronted with this senario, i hope to god it never happens. All the best for the future. Michael,
I am a serving police officer and ashamed at the way officers are treated when they really need help from the upper ranks, they all cover their own back sides,
I really admire you not only for serving your time and writing a book, but for the way you wrote it telling of your agony and the way in which you wanted to end it all, you have guts mate, i wonder how i would stand up if confronted with this senario, i hope to god it never happens. All the best for the future.

]]> By: YY http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238&cpage=1#comment-5330 YY Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:16:06 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238#comment-5330 I have just finished reading your book and feel so sorry for the treatment you have had to endure. My dear close friend of mine is a serving police officer of many years and loved the job he was doing although having to get the ticks in the boxes used to frustrate the hell out of him as he is like the old fashioned type copper and would prefer to educate and speak to many of thepeople he had to deal with instead of charging them. He used to be quite vocal with his views on todays policing instructions and also of the politicians especially Jackie smith. He made a throw away comment on a forum and next thing he knew his fire arms certificate was revoked and he was left in limbo not sure what was happening to his career. After 3 months he finally was called to a meeting and he was given a weeks notice they were moving him. Baring in mind he did not go through any disciplinary proceedings and therefore had no right to reply. I am angry with his inspector and chief at the way my friend was treated and at the unhappy police officer he now is from when I first met him a few years ago. It seems there are far too many people that want to reach the top without putting the effort in and by doing it through stabbing their colleagues in the back instead of hard graft. How do they sleep at night? Well done Mick for having the strength and fortitiude to not give up an to successfully build a new life and career. I have just finished reading your book and feel so sorry for the treatment you have had to endure. My dear close friend of mine is a serving police officer of many years and loved the job he was doing although having to get the ticks in the boxes used to frustrate the hell out of him as he is like the old fashioned type copper and would prefer to educate and speak to many of thepeople he had to deal with instead of charging them. He used to be quite vocal with his views on todays policing instructions and also of the politicians especially Jackie smith. He made a throw away comment on a forum and next thing he knew his fire arms certificate was revoked and he was left in limbo not sure what was happening to his career. After 3 months he finally was called to a meeting and he was given a weeks notice they were moving him. Baring in mind he did not go through any disciplinary proceedings and therefore had no right to reply. I am angry with his inspector and chief at the way my friend was treated and at the unhappy police officer he now is from when I first met him a few years ago. It seems there are far too many people that want to reach the top without putting the effort in and by doing it through stabbing their colleagues in the back instead of hard graft. How do they sleep at night?

Well done Mick for having the strength and fortitiude to not give up an to successfully build a new life and career.

]]> By: mj http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238&cpage=1#comment-5296 mj Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:29:54 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238#comment-5296 Michael, yet another serving Officer that's just read your book. EXCELLENT. I'm rather literate, but never read, if so, only fact, but once I picked up ' A fair cop' I was gripped. Seriousley. My god, I can't understand, but can only appreciate how you must have felt in relation to all issues surrounding the many events over so many years of your life. Your are a statue my man, a pillar for society. You express the feelings you had in the public arena, ie: your book. Suicidal depression etc. That takes some balls to admit. Hats off. I can assure you the signs show in many an officer now a days. Recent blogs / messages have stated feelings re- PSD or previous D and C. My god, I have suffered at the hands of the dept. On more than one occassion. Trivial matters, but took 6 months to a year to be dealt with, wasting time and resources, and leaving a massive impact / burden on you and your family. I have seen at least 7 of my close colleagues go through procedures, and one in particular that took over a year to be dealt with, poor guy told he would be facing Prison if guilty or PSD could persuade CPS to run the matter, but thank god it was dealt with by other means. Clearly effecting his integrity for the rest of his service. I attended at HQ to support him in front of many top brass and felt as if I were on trial and that my card was marked. Horrendous. So Michael, thats the way the Force - Sorry, The Service has gone, granted if wrong is proved then so be it, but many have used the word 'anal' to describe many a proceeding. Many Officers state that uniformed patrol is the department that leaves you open to these kind of allegations. You'd never get a notice on a reactive squad. How sad when we are one, and the frontline is the hardest job in the outfit. Please take the time to reflect on your success and rid yourself of any past emotion or intents. I wish you well. You've inspired me! Michael, yet another serving Officer that’s just read your book. EXCELLENT. I’m rather literate, but never read, if so, only fact, but once I picked up ‘ A fair cop’ I was gripped. Seriousley. My god, I can’t understand, but can only appreciate how you must have felt in relation to all issues surrounding the many events over so many years of your life. Your are a statue my man, a pillar for society.

You express the feelings you had in the public arena, ie: your book. Suicidal depression etc. That takes some balls to admit. Hats off. I can assure you the signs show in many an officer now a days. Recent blogs / messages have stated feelings re- PSD or previous D and C. My god, I have suffered at the hands of the dept. On more than one occassion. Trivial matters, but took 6 months to a year to be dealt with, wasting time and resources, and leaving a massive impact / burden on you and your family.

I have seen at least 7 of my close colleagues go through procedures, and one in particular that took over a year to be dealt with, poor guy told he would be facing Prison if guilty or PSD could persuade CPS to run the matter, but thank god it was dealt with by other means. Clearly effecting his integrity for the rest of his service. I attended at HQ to support him in front of many top brass and felt as if I were on trial and that my card was marked. Horrendous. So Michael, thats the way the Force – Sorry, The Service has gone, granted if wrong is proved then so be it, but many have used the word ‘anal’ to describe many a proceeding. Many Officers state that uniformed patrol is the department that leaves you open to these kind of allegations. You’d never get a notice on a reactive squad. How sad when we are one, and the frontline is the hardest job in the outfit.

Please take the time to reflect on your success and rid yourself of any past emotion or intents. I wish you well. You’ve inspired me!

]]> By: Erica http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238&cpage=1#comment-5279 Erica Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:55:21 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238#comment-5279 Michael, I bought your book for my husband as a Christmas present as he is a retired officer after serving 30+ yrs. He took it on holiday and read it and then I read it. We were both shocked at what you had to go through and disgusted at the way you were treated by your own force and the courts and then in prison. I'm not a shame to say I cried several times and I still think about how you were treated and thank goodness you got transfered in time. Our son at one point wanted to become a Police Officer and follow in his Dad's foot steps more than anything now I hope he doesn't he is at the moment training to be an accountant. I have asked him to read your book. My husband went straight from school as a cadet and retired at 49yrs of age he no longer misses the job. I work as a civilian answering the phones and am amazed at the type of calls we get and the way we are spoken to and the demands made by criminals they don't care how or what they say to us but we can not talk back to them like that. We wish you well and hope you get your name cleared. regards Erica Michael, I bought your book for my husband as a Christmas present as he is a retired officer after serving 30+ yrs. He took it on holiday and read it and then I read it. We were both shocked at what you had to go through and disgusted at the way you were treated by your own force and the courts and then in prison. I’m not a shame to say I cried several times and I still think about how you were treated and thank goodness you got transfered in time. Our son at one point wanted to become a Police Officer and follow in his Dad’s foot steps more than anything now I hope he doesn’t he is at the moment training to be an accountant. I have asked him to read your book. My husband went straight from school as a cadet and retired at 49yrs of age he no longer misses the job. I work as a civilian answering the phones and am amazed at the type of calls we get and the way we are spoken to and the demands made by criminals they don’t care how or what they say to us but we can not talk back to them like that. We wish you well and hope you get your name cleared. regards Erica

]]> By: Brian http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238&cpage=1#comment-5275 Brian Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:41:39 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238#comment-5275 Michael, i have read the book with interest. I am an Officer in Gwent and all to often i see the injustice handed out to Officers in Courts, be it Criminal or minor Traffic offences. I experience this first hand. The system is currupt in my opinion. Best wishes with your legal process. Michael, i have read the book with interest. I am an Officer in Gwent and all to often i see the injustice handed out to Officers in Courts, be it Criminal or minor Traffic offences. I experience this first hand.
The system is currupt in my opinion.
Best wishes with your legal process.

]]> By: Steve http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238&cpage=1#comment-5238 Steve Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:57:47 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238#comment-5238 Michael, I am a serving Officer within West Yorkshire Police and I have recently had the pleasure of reading your book which my wife bought for me just before Christmas. Ironically it was an Inspector at my Division who introduced me to your excellent book highlighting the potential political dangers of the job we do and how things can go so terribly wrong in the blink of an eye. The incident you described in your book which changed your life is by no means unique and unfortunately Officers have to deal with such incidents on a daily basis. The circumstances which followed this incident are however unique (thankfully) and the fact that you got convicted and imprisoned beggars belief, but then you dont need me to tell you that. I take my cap off to you as a mark of resepct for the way you handled yourself while in Prison and for the strength you have demonstrated since your release in pulling your life back together and turning it round. To echo what others have said, I wish you well and hope that one day you will have your conviction overturned and the slate wiped clean. Take care, Steve Michael, I am a serving Officer within West Yorkshire Police and I have recently had the pleasure of reading your book which my wife bought for me just before Christmas. Ironically it was an Inspector at my Division who introduced me to your excellent book highlighting the potential political dangers of the job we do and how things can go so terribly wrong in the blink of an eye.
The incident you described in your book which changed your life is by no means unique and unfortunately Officers have to deal with such incidents on a daily basis. The circumstances which followed this incident are however unique (thankfully) and the fact that you got convicted and imprisoned beggars belief, but then you dont need me to tell you that.
I take my cap off to you as a mark of resepct for the way you handled yourself while in Prison and for the strength you have demonstrated since your release in pulling your life back together and turning it round.
To echo what others have said, I wish you well and hope that one day you will have your conviction overturned and the slate wiped clean.
Take care,
Steve

]]> By: Tim http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238&cpage=1#comment-5210 Tim Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:49:49 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238#comment-5210 Hi Michael, read your book at the back end of last year, couldnt put it down once started it, such a sad story of someone trying to do there job, and then the courts coming down on the side of the scum that you had to deal with. All the best with whatever you do in the future. Hi Michael, read your book at the back end of last year, couldnt put it down once started it, such a sad story of someone trying to do there job, and then the courts coming down on the side of the scum that you had to deal with. All the best with whatever you do in the future.

]]> By: Susan http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238&cpage=1#comment-5208 Susan Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:27:28 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238#comment-5208 Michael, I have just finished reading your tragic story and it does not surprise me, at all, the way that you have been treated. Your story made me cry and also filled me with fear as my husband and a couple of his collegues have recently been suspended for being "Considerate" "trusting" police officers, but the scum they were dealing with are not as trustworthy. We are just beginning our nightmare journey and do not know what the outcome will be, this scares me so much as no-one seems to care and I am so angry at the disgusting way the police officers have been treated. I was so proud of what my husband had achieved and he loved his job, now we are cast aside and left in limbo, a good quote I heard was - "If the police spent as much time investigated criminals the way they investige their own officers there would be no crime"! I hope one day you can clear your name and all the best for your future. xx Michael, I have just finished reading your tragic story and it does not surprise me, at all, the way that you have been treated. Your story made me cry and also filled me with fear as my husband and a couple of his collegues have recently been suspended for being “Considerate” “trusting” police officers, but the scum they were dealing with are not as trustworthy. We are just beginning our nightmare journey and do not know what the outcome will be, this scares me so much as no-one seems to care and I am so angry at the disgusting way the police officers have been treated. I was so proud of what my husband had achieved and he loved his job, now we are cast aside and left in limbo, a good quote I heard was – “If the police spent as much time investigated criminals the way they investige their own officers there would be no crime”! I hope one day you can clear your name and all the best for your future. xx

]]> By: Craig http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238&cpage=1#comment-5199 Craig Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:48:56 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238#comment-5199 Michael, I have just finished a fair cop and read it in three sittings, I am not a reader, but this just captivated me. I live in West Yorkshire and cannot believe your treatment by your employer. Well, you are much better off, read the comments by serving officers. Your story is an interesting read which i both enjoyed and cringed at. Thank You, good luck, take care, justice will prevail. Michael, I have just finished a fair cop and read it in three sittings, I am not a reader, but this just captivated me. I live in West Yorkshire and cannot believe your treatment by your employer. Well, you are much better off, read the comments by serving officers. Your story is an interesting read which i both enjoyed and cringed at. Thank You, good luck, take care, justice will prevail.

]]> By: A.Jones http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238&cpage=1#comment-5195 A.Jones Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:45:45 +0000 http://www.afaircop.co.uk/blog/?p=238#comment-5195 I am a serving officer with over 25 years service having also been in several situations like yourself. I am truly amazed that your situation ever got to court and of particular concern was Sgt Milburn. I am a supervisor and enjoyed reading the book and have recommended the read to younger members of the shift to highlight how the life of a police officer can change over some bizarre event - which i consider yours to be ie having a hiding, getting a payout the other party admitting it and you ending up in prison. I also had a close friend go to prison 10 years ago for an offence of perverting the course of justice (something dull he did in drink) and I kept on thinking of him when reading the book. Anyway it will be interesting to see the result of the CCRC. All the best. I am a serving officer with over 25 years service having also been in several situations like yourself. I am truly amazed that your situation ever got to court and of particular concern was Sgt Milburn. I am a supervisor and enjoyed reading the book and have recommended the read to younger members of the shift to highlight how the life of a police officer can change over some bizarre event – which i consider yours to be ie having a hiding, getting a payout the other party admitting it and you ending up in prison.
I also had a close friend go to prison 10 years ago for an offence of perverting the course of justice (something dull he did in drink) and I kept on thinking of him when reading the book.
Anyway it will be interesting to see the result of the CCRC. All the best.

]]>