12 Comments

Brilliant, but very sad. It's been said forever, but I fear that this time, the job is properly, and right royally, fucked.

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First question in my interview to join was what did I think of the TV show. It took me a beat to think about what I was being asked. Senior officer with a sense of humour! 31 years of being asked the same question.

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I used to love the Sweeney, can’t remember if they were my inspiration from a very early age to becoming a Police Officer. They say if you love your job you’ll never work a day in your life!! It felt like that being 6 years in the Royal Military Police, then 25 years Royal Ulster Constabulary (GC/Police Service of Northern Ireland. I loved every minute of it, even through the difficult times. Unfortunately my career was cut short by complex PTSD. But even though after 14 years medical retirement and still suffering PTSD, if I had to do it all again I would at the blink of an eye. I believe I/we made a difference. I hope the flying squad remains, there’s always a place for that type of specialist policing. No use looking for it once it’s gone!!

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David as another ex RMP, and Met, I know exactly where you’re coming from, and like you I wouldn’t change a day of it. All the very best

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Sad day indeed when successful branding is given (as per your latest) a 'cheese roll'. First experienced it in the mid '90's when The 'Serious' (aka Serious Crime Squad) in Strathclyde was renamed ... soon after W Mids (SCS) had their 'night of the long knives' and were duly renamed. However, sense happily prevailed north of the border and it was soon overturned ... but not before I'd rescued the DI's door sign for posterity. Unfortunately, history repeated itself for me again in the mid noughties with the sorry renaming of SB, but without the reprieve. Nevertheless, I'm reliably informed the current inhabitants of the 'Dark Side' still use the acronym regardless - long live the revolution.

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Love this article. And the show, which was a favourite of my grandma!

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Another great article Dom, it will be sad when it really goes and a stupid decision in hindsight like most of the decisions they’ve already made about structure training, recruitment and vetting etc.

I was lucky enough to have a Guvnor transfer over from the Sweeney as an Inspector to our relief at StokeNewington who was as cool as. Longish hair, lots of gold and always smoking a cigar, he was up for active guys and I was hoping for a foot in the door when a mate of mine let loose some info over some post office robberies that were happening. I went to him with the info and he put me in touch with the team who took all the info and worked it. I was hoping to be a part of the team who nicked them and have something on my CV to put myself forward as a driver but didn’t get a look in. Safe to say I got a pat on the head and a well done from the Guv which made up for a bit but after that I changed tack.

You couldn’t really get in the TV room in the Section House unless you went in an hour earlier so didn’t really watch them at the time but always like an episode on catch up telly. That and the Professionals were the favourites back then.

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First question in my interview to join was what did I think of the TV show. It took me a beat to think about what I was being asked. Senior officer with a sense of humour! 31 years of being asked the same question.

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They may have nicked Copeland. But we know who found him.

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If I remember, it was a genuine team effort. Even Nasa got a look in, via SO13. And a switched on member of the public.

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I remember as a wide eyed prob, the aura surrounding the Squad DC, holding court in the police room at Isleworth CC. An absolute breed apart. As an aide at MS in the early 2000s, had the opportunity to be mentored by a plethora of fantastic ex Squad members. Whilst I took another route, where it is said that the pen is mightier than the sword (and don’t get me started on the Met’s approach to Fraud.. ffs a world recognised leader in fraud & financial crime investigation reduced to a husk) I am ever grateful to the insights provided by those who sought to turn over such men of violence…

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As a former member of the helmetry, SO13 and the NCA. Notwithstanding Cheese Roll remark, I had (and have) huge respect for our colleagues from the seeeney, like Mark, never served and like him because it wasn’t my cup of tea (as ‘Dirty Harry’ once said: “you’re a good man Lt, and a good man knows his limitations”) as do we all. The Sweeney are unique and it’ll be a very sad loss to the Met to see them go. Let’s hope they continue to recognise their valuable expertise and allow them to continue.

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