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many doors, brokered many
friendships and led on to so much
else – involvement with television
and media and the entertainment
industry, who famously pay for tac
advice they then ignore. I grew used
Read to saying “T is is what we would do,
but what do you want to happen?” It
on… saves a lot of time! When answering
the question “What would we see
of the sniper?”, I replied “Nothing.”
I soon realised that was not the
required response.
One thing is for sure. T e
research for T e Files was the greatest
;'56'4&#; 61&#; possible debrief. I remain convinced that no-one, absolutely
no-one is unaffected by a shooting. Most are profoundly shaken,
#0& 61/14419 most particularly after a fatal incident, however well hidden that
may seem.
In the interim I have met actors, politicians and celebrities.
94+66'0 $; 41)'4 )4#; It’s been a privilege. I owe much of that to the rite of passage that
(QTOGT 51 5GTIGCPV CPF #WVJQT is the Firearms Branch, to that very special fraternity. Although
I sense that my star is no longer in the ascendancy, still it has
t was a salutary moment. Perhaps not in the league of that been powerfully rewarding to stand up for the Police in front
first day of the ARVs back in ’91, but nevertheless it gave of media when so much misinformed criticism is aimed at
me pause for thought! While the basics, the ‘them and them after fatal incidents. To receive at a recent function, an
Ius’ of the game, the good guys and the bad guys, remain appreciation and a public endorsement was indeed very moving
unchangeable, the kit, the cars and the dress are a universe away. I for me. T ank you ‘Blue One’… As long as someone still listens,
have visited the ‘new’ base several times, but the distance between I will continue to speak.
‘then’, that being when I was a skipper in ‘19’ and now, suddenly I have achieved many of the goals I set myself. Being a dyed
feels vast. in the wool petrol-head, I have finished off the cars I cherished
Certainly there isn’t the aged fabric of Old Street. Even though for years. I have a 1964 E Type 3.8 coupe that has been mine for
current facilities are assuming their own patina, it all has a very nearly 30 years, and a 1965 MG Midget that I first purchased
different face now. I guess I am feeling that distance these days. when I was 19. Both are now immaculate. I have my father’s 1956
It’s been 15 years since I retired. Being scrutinised by security staff 500cc Norton on which I have toured swathes of England and a
recently and given a day pass is a long way from being recognised 1957 BSA Road Rocket. T e Gold Star has been and gone, sadly.
by everyone. T ere were no closed doors for me then. More importantly I have five healthy grandchildren, the eldest
Mark Williams was as always a warm host, even as he scuttles just becoming a stunning young woman.
around in fast forward frothing with enthusiasm. Our first
acquaintance was as a result of the fatal shooting in Putney where
Barry Oldroyd-Jones was shot-gunned in the legs. Mark was a
local officer then. T at incident led him to SO19. How different
things are now. Fed Rep and father figure of the PFOA and I
the creaking at the knees retirey. In fact some people open doors
for me now. Woe betide the first boy scout that tries to help me
across the road though! Tempus fugit!
I have a saying, in fact I have many but one is “life’s a raffle”.
At one time I thought I would never carry a gun. I certainly could
not have envisaged I would be a supervisor of an armed group so
late in my career, I was in my mid forties at the very beginning,
that I would on occasion be SO19 duty officer for the Met, that I
would control an armed fatal incident, that my officers would be
shot. For many years the wail of the siren and the flashing blue are
a part of life that feels permanent, but it’s not. Not for any of us.
I could go on, but those who have read T e Trojan Files will
know. Here’s another “life’s a raffle” occurrence. Just being base
skipper one day, just picking up a particular phone, just being
willing to be open about things that were in fact no secret,
led to that book being written. T at book in itself has opened