Like most red blooded young men, when considering my future employment back in the 1970's, I mused about the possibility of joining the police force. Not for noble reasons of serving the community, but rather, so I could carry a big gun and drive (or better still) ride as fast as I liked, with no fear of prosecution.
In hindsight, it was probably better that I did eventually join the army instead. While there is always some scope for the army assisting the community in times of natural disasters like fires and flood, our "bread and butter" employment when on operations is to be judge, jury and executioner, when dealing with "ne-er do wells".
Because of this, I have the utmost respect for policemen. They have a crap job at best, but most of them seem to enjoy their work, and honestly believe that they are making their communities a better place. In Britain, moreso than Australia, the police are expected to be polite, reasonable and patient, when dealing with people from all facets of society. From politely providing directions to errant tourists, locking up drunks on a Saturday night, breaking up violent domestic disputes, and attending fatal car crashes, they are expected to provide all of these services and much more, all with a level of calm decorum that I for one, couldn't muster. The fact that they do all this armed only with a funny looking hat and sometimes a truncheon, is just incredible to me.
Tom Ratcliffe (RupertB here) is one such "defender of the faith". At the age of 24, Tom, who'd come from a "middle class" British family who'd perhaps expected him to have a career in academia or medicine, "dropped out" of university, and joined "The Rozzers". Tom has since retired, but has written his memoirs, and in doing so, has produced a very entertaining book, detailing some of the highlights, and lowlights, of his career. From conducting foot patrols in freezing conditions to high speed pursuits of stolen cars, Tom did it all.
Apart from the afore-mentioned crime fighting exploits, Tom's book reveals the softer, more personal side of policing, that most of us "Civilians" are not privvy to. From Tom's self-confessed bouts of depression that manifested when he attended fatal accidents involving children of similar age to his own, to "being adopted" by a stray Labrador dog who just decided that Tom was a suitable life companion.
There are plenty of laughs to be had, with one of his more amorous colleagues "getting it on" with a tubby gas station attendant, the discovery of a large collection of pornography at a fatal car crash involving Tom giving directions in French whilst holding up a "one handed magazine", the "Donkey Dick" court room incident, the stolen mug, the forged letter of appointment etc. My favorite was where one of Tom's mates chased a speeding drunk, who eluded detection, and reported his car stolen to cover his arse. Tom's colleague dumped the oil out of the "Stolen Car's" engine and drove it the 3 miles back to the Police Station, telling the "innocent" owner (now completely sober) that the "thieves" must have thrashed the hell out of his car, because the engine appears to be badly damaged. Poetic justice.
This isn't Hollywoods version of events of the story of Frank "Serpico", or one of Andy McNab's fast paced thrillers, this book is real, and a fascinating insight into the daily challenges of members of one of the world's oldest, and most respected police forces. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd encourage anyone here to pick up a copy, knowing that it was written by a fellow member, who will use the proceeds only for good, and mostly to refurbish his beautiful Tony Foale framed CB750. If you ask Tom nicely, he might even send you a signed copy! Cheers, Terry.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prisoners-Property-Prostitutes-Things-Beginning/dp/184876216X#reader_184876216X
