A captivating memoir of a Lancashire lad who wanted to be a cop. From the streets of Manchester to the shores of Portsmouth, this is a journey of courage that explores the complexities of human experiences. 

The author’s vivid storytelling brings to life what it was like as a child and young man, ‘Up North’, surrounded by bad influences. These issues meant that he almost didn’t make the grade!

This book shows how he travelled, chasing the ‘American dream’, and found himself at the sharp end of inner-city police work in the 1990s.

Richard describes the thrill of the chase, quiet moments of reflection and how the police also dealt with humorous incidents. At six feet and six inches tall, his helmet was bound to dislodge the odd pub sign. How could his early morning ‘drugs bust’ target the wrong address, with an elderly couple tucked up in bed? Who set off a firework under the chair of a dozing WPC? And who made off with all the Jaffa Cakes?

Richard is becoming well known for negotiating with cyber criminals on the dark web, trying to protect companies from data loss and ransom demands. While in the force, he was a specialist in the role and continues to the present day with his own private business.

Richard’s compelling story has an underlying theme of battling against adversity. While on duty, he suffered a massive brain haemorrhage. His life was in serious danger, but the skills of a top surgeon meant that Richard was soon on the road to recovery.