Talk at Borders
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Following the success of a recent talk I did at Borders in Birstall, I have been asked to do another. The talk will be on Tuesday 24th November 2009 at 7pm at the Birstall store again.
Mick – I came across your book on Friday, by chance, in my local Tesco store. Two days later I’d finished the book, which is quite something for me, as they normally last a month or two! I joined West Mids Police in 1998 & am now an Insp in B’ham City Centre. Just wanted to say that your book is brilliant. It is truely worrying to think that what happened to you could happen to any cop. I’m glad to read in the final page or two that life is a great deal better. I hope that the ‘case review’ is succesful and wish you all the very best in the future. I also look forward to seeing your story on television. Take care.
Posted by Martin | October 26, 2009 8:26 amHi Mick- my colleagues & I were on a drugs course with you earlier on in the year at the hudawi centre in huddersfield. My colleaque was told about your story and book by the lovely lady who ran the 4 day course. I bought your book from play.com, and could not put it down. I am not a book reader, but found myself totally absorbed in every chapter of what you went through. Your book is now being passed around our office, and you are the topic of conversation on most days..
Posted by Lisa | October 27, 2009 8:02 amI think I can speak on behalf of them when I say, what you went through was disgraceful . You seem like a decent person, who did not deserve to be treated so poorly. We are keeping everything crossed for your Review, and feel that the police force have lost a fine police officer. I am sure that you are an assett to kirklees, in your current role as a restorative justice co-ordinator. You are a true inspiration.
All the very best for the future, may it be a long and happy one. See you in Birstall on the 24th .. God Bless you..
I have just finished your book, my heart felt wishes go out to you for a successful review. I am shocked that such injustice still goes on in a country that holds itself up to the world as free and fair
Posted by Daniel | October 31, 2009 3:49 pmKind Regards
Michael,what can I say. I have just finished your book and at times I’m not afraid to admit that I nearly had a tear or two in my eye after certain sections. As a servining police officer I have seen too many colleagues hung out to dry, some after 30 years of dedicated service by the force. Having served as a prison officer prior to joining the police I fully understood your predicement and it is obvious that you were shafted, not just by the judge, but by our arch enemy the CPS.
Posted by Steve | November 1, 2009 9:04 pmThey should all hang their heads in shame for what they did to you, lets hope your review points the finger at those responsible.
As public servants we are political “vote winning” pawns and I feel that what happened to you, bad as it was, has done you a favour and directed you on a better, more rewarding career path.
All the best Mick…..and remember we only get our one short time in this life,so live it to the full and put the past behind you.
An absolutely outstanding book and a travesty of justice. There but for the grace of God could go any Bobby… Bloody good job mate, more courage than a brave thing.
I read the book in two hours flat and I’ll be leaving it on the Parade Room table for anyone else who wants to read it. Best fiver I’ve spent in a long time
Posted by Tim Knowles | November 3, 2009 11:25 pmHi Mick,
Received your book as a gift. I’m a serving Police Officer and found your narrative both enthralling and appalling at the same time. I was absolutely dismayed at your treatment by West Yorkshire Police and moreover the entirely flawed Criminal Justice System. Your story is food for thought for every Police Officer in this country. I hope this outrageous travesty of justice is dealt with comprehensively by the pending Criminal Case Review, though i appreciate it is scant consolation for what you’ve endured. Where on earth were the Police Federation in your case? I found the lack of support you had really concerning. Good Luck for the future and I’ll be keenly anticipating the outcome of your case review.
Posted by Paul | November 7, 2009 3:17 pmThank you very much for this. I am often asked about the Police Federation and my thoughts on it after my experience. I am currently writing another book which is a full account of the judicial process and the support I was offered by the Federation and the Police as an employer. This book will be completed in the future when all legal matters relating to my case are concluded.
Posted by Michael | November 7, 2009 5:08 pmMick
read the book and as a serving police officer of 15 years i can believe what the CPS and the judicial system did to you as they are useless and not respected at all amongst myself or my colleagues. infact we hold them in utter contempt. Sadly we have become a state pansies but i guess we have cherie blair to thank for that with the introduction of the human rights act and that weak useless husband of hers who ran the country into the ground. Thought it was diabolical what that Sergeant did to you in her evidence. all i can say as a sergeant is i hope she gets hers one day and she must be one of the most hated officers in your force i don,t know her but i would bend over backwards to stitch her up!
sadly the police service in this country has now become a joke. as a result of your book which i have shown to my team i have advised them not to deal with violent people and walk away as it is far better to face discipline for neglect of duty than go through what you went through. Couldn,t Prosecute Satan (cps) went for you as an easy target as they don,t seem to be very successful at prosecuting real criminals.
all the best with the appeal.
Posted by jason | November 11, 2009 4:36 amMick.
Excellent book. Chilling and compelling reading for any police Officer. I’m a DC working in intelligence and the person who said, ‘But for the grace of God go I’, hit the nail on the head.
I think you’ll have gathered from the many supportive comments, that your book raises alot of questions that hopefully you may cover in your next book.
These include the issue of the duty of care that the Prison Service had towards you (and) all prisonners, yet still managed to repeatedly leave you in a situation where other prisonners could seemingly abuse you at will and with impunity.
I’ll also be interested to hear alot more about the trial, judicial process and internal disciplinary processes as again it seems abundantly clear that you were badly let down on many fronts.
Like you, I have read The Damage Done by Warren Fellows which is a very good book. May I also recommend to you and others The English Prisonner by Tig Hague which is also an excellent read.
Best of luck with the case review mate and Im glad things are looking up… Sadly that will never detract from the fact that you should never have been put through any of this in the first place.
Posted by Steve | November 12, 2009 5:30 pmWell what can i say… what an amazing and brave man you are.
Posted by Joanne | November 20, 2009 12:59 pmAs a serving police officer with 17years experiance, I have found that nothing shocks me anymore about the way the firm treats us and i am disgusted to say that, infact at times I am ashamed of how the force works.
I have had some very bad experiances over the last two years, by poor mis managment in the force and its left me emotionally and mentally damaged, but what a cover up when you speak out!
You are an a shining example of coming through the dark tunnel, well done Michael, you are example to us all and i’d like to say that i am so sorry for the way you have been treat but thank goodness you have come out a stronger man you are truely one of the good guys.
Your book was fantastic read.
Hold your head up high… you have my support!
As a serving police officer I think i can honestly say this book shook me to the core. The thought that something which I deal with on a day to day basis led to a prison sentence is beyond comprehension and makes you wonder whether it really is the right job. I want to thank you for the determination and courage you have shown throughout your battle…the two characteristics which make a true police officer.
My admiration comes in bucketloads and I wish you every success in the world.
Posted by Dawn | November 21, 2009 12:37 amI 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.
Posted by Susy | November 22, 2009 4:05 pmI 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.
Posted by Ian | November 22, 2009 5:03 pmThank 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.
Posted by Catherine | November 23, 2009 9:39 pmKeep fighting and working hard you deserve to be happy.
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.
Posted by Alex | November 24, 2009 10:53 pmHello Michael
Posted by Philip Baildon | November 26, 2009 11:21 amI 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
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.
Posted by Hayley | December 3, 2009 6:57 pmMick,
Posted by Chris | December 8, 2009 10:26 pmChilling 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.
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.
Posted by johno | December 15, 2009 9:36 pmI 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
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.
Posted by Michael | December 15, 2009 10:03 pmBrilliant 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 .
Posted by Andy | January 13, 2010 8:30 pmHope 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