4,000 Emails and Counting…
So far today I have received ten emails via my website. Last night the total number since the release of A Fair Cop was exactly 3,990. They have come from all corners of the globe – New Zealand, Australia, China, America, Canada and of course the United Kingdom. Every single one says something unique and different and makes me stop for a moment to think about the person who has given up some of his or her time to contact me.
They also have something very important in common; their contempt for the way I’ve been treated at the hands of West Yorkshire Police’s Discipline and Compaints Department (Professional Standards) and the judiciary in its handling of my case. I am yet to receive an email that does not support me and what I did at the hands of this violent thug who did what he did to me. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me in my bid to clear my name and I’ll keep my blog updated with any news once I get it. I’m expecting contact from the Criminal Cases Review Commission in the next few months. I still believe that what happened to me is not representative of the English Criminal Justice System and I hope that one day my conviction will be quashed.
Whilst composing this post, my 4,001st email came in from a Corporal in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Edmonton, Alberta. Knowing that ‘what happened to you (me) would never happen here (Canada)’ is a source of comfort and helps me reason that even if our country has gone mad, at least the world hasn’t.
What a brilliant read, I wasnt surprised they sentenced you, we live in a do gooder state we cant be seen to be upseting the criminals, PSD are judged on performance indicators, they seem to be scared cops who dare not go on the streets but have to justify there role by making street cops lives a misery they should be ashamed, glad to see things have worked out for you good look for the future.
Posted by MICHAEL LANGLEY | December 31, 2009 1:07 pmI picked up a copy of your book from tesco in september 09 for my husbands birthday as he is serving police officer and knew nothing about it. My husband read it and then i picked it up and couldnt put it down. I was shocked, appalled and broken to tears by your disgusting treatment. I only finished reading your book today and i want to say how much you are an inspiration to us all…..never thought other humans could EVER treat someone like they did to you. Im also a Christian and believe God definately pulled you through. I pray justice will be done and your name will be sone in lights. Well done and what a loving supportive family you have. Kirsten x
Posted by Kirsten Sullivan | January 1, 2010 2:57 pmI’m a serving officer hence just using an initial. I too was violently assaulted during an arrest in 2008. I’m still recovering having had to undergo surgery and will carry the scars for the rest of my life. As I get older, it is more than likely the injury will cause further problems. Despite a trip to A&E, months off work, surgery and ongoing problems my attacker was charged with a simple assault police and received a very minimal sentence. It has shaken my confidence in the judicial system, but not nearly as much as reading of your appalling experience at the hands of WYPSD and the judiciary. I wish you all the luck in the world and hope that even at this late stage justice will be done. Good luck mate.
Posted by D | January 1, 2010 6:26 pmJust finished the book, from start to finish i just couldn’t put it down till i was done! Even Harry Potter was given a days rest here and there. It seems that life can be so unpredictable and we’d be better off having Justin Lee Collins as our CPS, Judge and Jury. Heads or Tails? At least you got a 50% chance! Hope the demons can be finally put to rest with your appeal and you finally get some closure.
Posted by Alex | January 1, 2010 9:50 pmChin up and a Happy New Year
Michael. I’m a serving Officer and your story fills me with dread. It’s unbelievable that serving “Officers” at Complaints and discipline felt it their duty to try and ruin your life for serving your community. Glad that you have turned such a huge negative into a positive and are doing well with the book. Good on you.
Posted by steve goult | January 6, 2010 9:55 amSteve
Having just finished ‘A Fair Cop’ I would just like to add my support to you in your endeavour to clear your criminal record. Having spent a career (now retired) in the Humberside Police I know that there but for the grace of God go a lot of serving Police Officers who have to suffer the ignomony of a reversal of the due process of law i.e. being presumed to be guilty until proven innocent. I must say that since having retired in October 2000 I haven’t missed the job for one day and that is a measure of how the ‘Job’ has plummeted in recent years.
I am almost ashamed to admit to strangers face to face that I was once a Police Officer myself.
All the best
Andy
Posted by Andy | January 6, 2010 11:26 ami’m currently a serving officer, the job should be ashamed!!
Posted by Andy | January 8, 2010 7:25 pmit hasn’t improved. just read the book, very good. You are better off where you are, it just shows that every day good be your last as the criminal’s welfare is put before our own.
The current trend is “work harder do more, more for less.”- The job must have shares in cotton wool and bubble wrap as you cant upset the idiots that are out there!
Michael, I have just finished your book and would just like to take the time to say that what you have been through and how you have pulled through is a shining example of your unbelieveable character and determination.
I would rather not go into detail but I was in a very similar situation some 5 years ago now and I thank god that although convicted I was freed of the ordeal of prison.
Reading your book has been a real insight and although five years have gone by, has helped me in its own right.
Thank you and I wish you the Best of Luck.
Posted by Annoymous | January 10, 2010 5:37 pmGreat book x
Keep fighting to get your conviction quashed, you deserve justice, allbeit late in coming!! Don’t give up the fight x
Good luck x
Posted by Kay | January 12, 2010 10:32 amMichael,
Posted by Tracy | January 12, 2010 3:56 pmI have just finished your book and it would like to offer my support in your mission to get your conviction over turned. My heart went out to you and your family reading the hell you all must have gone through. The justice system really does beggar belief at times..
You have turned things around and I would like to congratulate you on writing an excellent book and showing sheer determination to turn your life around. Fantastic
Regards
Tracy
Hello Michael, my friend lent me her copy of your book Sunday afternoon and I couldn’t put it down except for work yesterday, finally finishing it at 10.30 last night. I couldn’t believe what they had done and like you at that awful time, as I read felt grateful to everyone who showed you kindness throughout your ordeal in prison. I hope you get the justice you deserve and the conviction quashed. I also sincerley hope that the people who did this to you have read your book and have realised the consequences of their actions. Best wishes for the new life you have worked hard to make for yourself.
Posted by Sue | January 12, 2010 6:49 pmRegards
Sue
Hello Michael,just finished reading your,e book which i bought 2 days ago and despite moans from my family to be feed and do the washing just couldn,t put down. I ranged from going hot [not kinky ] at the injustice of your,e situation, for someone who strove for justice.To cold fearing for you. As a nurse i am all too aware of how we find ourselves at the power of others for whom dealing with everyday adverse situations is far removed from the realities of everyday adversity.
Posted by Tracey. | January 13, 2010 8:03 pmWell done Michael may all you wish for your,e family and youreself come true. Tracey xx Must go have several loads of washing to do .xx
Hi Michael, I have just finished reading your book which took me about 2 days as I was so gripped by it. I really can’t believe the whole situation as it is just so wrong. You were trying to protect yourself and ended up in prison. I really hope your conviction is overturned and the matter is looked into properly as I think some people in the police force and the courts need to answer to what they did to you. Best of Luck with all your future projects.
Posted by Hayley | January 18, 2010 11:15 amMichael,
Posted by CARL | January 18, 2010 11:10 pmWhat can I say, Im so sorry that you even had to go through what you did to cause you to write this book.
You wont remember me but I worked at Holbeck during the same time, strangly enough we are the same age and even joined WYP the same year.We never actually worked together, and in all honesty I didnt know much about your case.
Having read your bk, I was ashamed to call myself a WYP officer. The disregard shown to you during your ordeal is sadly not uncommon. 10yrs on I would love to say that things had improved, but they havent. The lack of respect shown to officers under investigation by PSD are all too apparent, even now.
For yrs now folk have been saying that this has to change, but who is there out there strong enough to challenge a system and a department more powerful that the force itself. Your decision to publish this book was certainly the right one. It has certainly gone some way to exposing the work ethics of Profesional Standards. If its any consolation, you are quite a celebrity with the force now. Everyone is talking of your book, and as yet I havent come accross anyone who does not support you in your fight for justice.
The book is gripping. Never have I finished a book in such a short space of time. I could relate to what you were talking about, well in the beginning anyway. I worked at Holbeck for 8 yrs, many times I have been in a similar situation to the one you described. Many times too I have been assaulted. Hand on heart, I have and would still react in the same way as you did. Its human nature.
Like you I joined the job to persue a career, to make a difference. After 16yrs, I am now resigned to it being a means of pay the bills. Its now a job, not a career. I have found myself a nice little office job. Its boring but hey, its safer than being out on the streets. I see my aim now it one of self preservation, and that includes avoiding confrontational situations. It saddens me to say this but, no longer can you even trust the person next to you anymore. What a dangerous world we are expected to police. Believe me you are lucking not to be doing this job anymore. (I hope you dont mind me saying that)
Im so pleased that you have bounced back, and shown everyone that you would not be beaten by a system that is so disproportionate. You will no doubt still have bad dreams of what you went through, but one thing you should always remember is that you went through hell, and you survived. You should be extremely proud of what you have achieved. I would also like to point out how touched I was with your mum & dads support. In closing, I hope you dont mind me writing this as I know you would probably rather not have any contact from any member of WYP, but your book was so powerful that I just could not help but write to you and offer my words of support.
Carl
Dear Carl
Thank you very much for leaving this very kind post on my blog. As I keep saying to my other half every time I get a message from my ex-colleagues and members of the public, I just can’t believe the amount of time people are prepared to spend in contacting me. It is very humbling and it reinforces the injustice that I will put right.
In contrast to your closing comment, the opposite applies. Having contact from WYP officers is helping me in that fight and I would like to thank you again for contacting me and for reading my book.
Posted by Michael | January 19, 2010 8:22 pmMick.
Hi Michael
Posted by gordon russell | January 20, 2010 11:29 amI have just finished reading your book that was given to me as a Xmas gift. I couldn’t put it down once I had started reading it. What a gross miscarriage of justice!! Hope the Review Commission helps to get your conviction overturned and the rightful compensation awarded to you.
I served for 41 years in Notts (30 as a cop and 11 as a civilian/support staff) and know of 2 instances in my time where cops were jailed for offences committed. One was drink/driving on duty in the late sixties (a very common occurrence) and the other in the nineties for a minor perverting the course of justice (a good cop just trying too hard to get the job done!!). In both instances feedback was received as to their brutal treatment in prison with being ex-cops. Why do the Prison authorities turn such a blind eye to these assaults? Is prison really the answer in such circumstances? I can only assume from your own case that you really must have upset someone ‘up in the ladder’ in your Force to warrant the inexplicable treatment metered out to you. I fell foul of a Superintendent and he made my life hell for 12 months until I was able to transfer to another Division so I do know how the minds of these so called ‘Superiors’ work. Cross their paths at your peril!!
Could go on ranting forever, but will close and wish you all the good fortune in the world in whatever you choose to do. The West Yorkshire loss is someone elses gain.
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.
Posted by A.Jones | January 21, 2010 10:45 amI 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.
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.
Posted by Craig | January 21, 2010 9:48 pmMichael, 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
Posted by Susan | January 25, 2010 12:27 pmHi 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.
Posted by Tim | January 25, 2010 7:49 pmMichael, 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.
Posted by Steve | January 28, 2010 12:57 amThe 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 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.
Posted by Brian | February 1, 2010 2:41 pmThe system is currupt in my opinion.
Best wishes with your legal process.
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
Posted by Erica | February 2, 2010 4:55 pmMichael, 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!
Posted by mj | February 6, 2010 10:29 pmI 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.
Posted by YY | February 13, 2010 12:16 pmMichael,
Posted by steve | March 2, 2010 5:47 pmI 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.