The Changing Shapes of UK Policing: 'From Dixon to Brixton'

Retired Chief Superintendent Brian Humphreys recounts the changes he has witnessed in his 46 years of policing experiences since he joined the force in 1960 as a Police Cadet, until 2006 when he ceased being a member of West Mercia's 'Retired Experienced Personnel' scheme.

The injustices he identifies, have guided his hand to write about how the changing shapes imposed, which sometimes have twisted and turned to become obstructing influences, have affected fair justice to all. He describes how the losses of village bobbies and police officers resident on their housing estates and the closure of police stations, have all contrived to record the death knell of community policing.

Whilst he celebrates the scientific strides made in today's police armoury, he questions the advisability of showing the depths of such advances and the real live interviews of suspects being questioned when they refuse to answer questions.

He argues that some changes, together with a lack of proper resources, which have failed to keep up with demand, will lead to increases of criminality. These, together with external impositions demanded by, for example, The Crown Prosecutions Departments and Police Commissioners, have now resulted in criminals having far greater chances of escaping from prosecution and hence continuing their life of crime.

Brian delves into the areas where police officers are now forced to work under heavy handicaps and puts forward, his ideas of climbing those obstacles such as 'No Comment' interviews and the strictures of allowing suspects their freedom when time constraints expire.

Although serious comment is proffered, and is above all, thought provoking, the book is written in a light hearted vein with a sprinkling of humour and anecdotes based on his own lifetime of experiences with the police family.