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From March 2025, I will be posting ‘Original Notes’; these are five-minute anecdotes with a purpose. True stories from yesterday’s thin blue line intended to help today’s. Part memoir, part protest. Fifteen years ago the ‘British bobby’ was the global standard for unarmed, fair and tolerant policing, Scotland Yard was a global term, a byword for investigative excellence. I was proud to be a Metropolitan Police Officer and it was an uncontroversial thing to say. So what the hell went wrong?

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Each ‘Original Note’ will be a five-minute read. Whilst each stands alone, together they will - probably - be a book. That’s where I need your help. Please comment, challenge and correct my memory. I will read them all and reply. You won’t have to worry about missing anything. Every new edition of the newsletter goes directly to your inbox.

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