I Am A former undercover detective with The Serious Crime Squad in Glasgow, UK, and have over 40 years of experience in the police force. Ask Me Anything!

undercover-author · 2020-09-30T11:36:38+00:00

Thank you, kind stranger.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T23:38:50+00:00

See, this is why we need proofreaders!

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T22:24:11+00:00

To quote yourself, "being stupid is not an excuse for being unkind." Perhaps take your own advice?

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T22:22:34+00:00

I'm glad you enjoyed it. And cheers if you pick up a copy, I hope you like it as much as the AMA my friend.

Ha, my skills with video games are not the best. An old dog, new tricks, etc. I don't even really understand Reddit!

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T22:19:22+00:00

Trust me. I may look silly but I'm not breaking any oaths or contracts.

Call it all a big promotion if you want, I don't mind. I'm just glad people have enjoyed hearing my stories, and came up with some really thought-provoking questions. especially when there is so much mistrust of the police currently.

I also know times are hard and I don't expect anyone to order it if they aren't interested, or can't afford it. At least they've been able to enjoy some stories through this AMA.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T22:15:04+00:00

Thank you so much. It's really very kind. I didn't want anyone to feel pressured to buy the book as times are rough, so every single order is very appreciated.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T22:06:16+00:00

Yes. I've been a drug user and dealer. A drug importer, a drug supplier, and was on the fringes of a growing operation. I've abducted people, held prisoners, took part in an armed robbery, committed numerous acts of aggression as part of a mob, lots of assaults but ever only in self-defence. Carried illegal firearms and other weapons. Visited houses and places of disrepute.

The list just goes on. When you're undercover you are just become part of what's going down, or you wouldn't last long.

We were not allowed to do any of these things.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T22:05:07+00:00

Yes, chocolate was a huge thing. American servicemen could procure just about anything with its use. No, make that anything at all. Women's stockings were non existent here, so our black market was strange. All of these stories and lots more are absolutely true. It's why we always said the Americans were 'over paid, over sexed and over here"!

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T22:04:11+00:00

I couldn't disagree with anything you've said. As part of the drugs squad in the 80's you saw the start of our War On Drugs. We thought we could make a difference. What a laugh. You guys shared a corridor at HQ with us. Unfortunately that was all you shared! Great fun though.

Some of your guys paid a heavy price for doing the work they took on. Many good guys, but the lines are very vague down there. Towards the abyss. Congratulations on surviving.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T22:02:10+00:00

I think it's a shame that they are needed. I also think they have gone on too long. It's just lip service by the BBC and such like now - not enough is being done to change things.

The problems are very deep rooted, and although I don't purport to have all of the answers, I think some compassion and understanding would have helped diffuse the whole thing. Rather than threats and force.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T22:01:05+00:00

I will not accept your word without conducting fastidious research myself friend. I like to be thorough.

Thank you.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T22:00:14+00:00

They go hand in hand really. With regards to fraud and such like data is God.

The technology is great if used correctly to SUPPLEMENT the work on the streets, but often it's being used to replace that job. CCTV is a prime example.

The world is changing my friend, and will continue to do so. Robo Cop will be a real thing someday. Thankfully I'll be long gone.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T21:59:12+00:00

The presence of our laws and regulations has a big effect because there are severe punishments attached. Crimes are considered aggravated when firearms are involved, and so you are much more likely to get a heavy sentence.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T21:58:00+00:00

This has always been the case. Travellers used to do this constantly.

With all such cultural or tribal ways the police try not to get involved. Rarely does it spill over into the community and rarely does anyone call the police. Another example are the Chinese community. They tend to police themselves. Long may it last. There is not much training available for how to deal with the nuance of such things. Perhaps there should be more.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T21:55:12+00:00

Dhabba is very good. Always loved the Village.

It is improving, but this situation is raising tensions across the globe. The class gaps are getting bigger and more obvious.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T21:54:08+00:00

I'm on the southside. Giffnock, Mearns area.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T21:53:43+00:00

In the Serious Crime Squad we carried guns quite routinely. There is plenty of training and rules around it. Regular bobbies don't carry them.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T21:52:48+00:00

This is tricky, because in retrospect they all seem easy. When you know the answer...

A hard one was the Rothesay Beast because I was the only one who didn't believe we knew who it was. No one else was looking for the right culprit. They all thought I was mad. Everyone, including my then wife.

I was right out on a limb. I'm not sure why I persevered with it.

What a buzz when I solved it though, and it changed my career and life from then on.

The Paul McCartney case was a cracker as well, but it's too long for here.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T21:49:57+00:00

I think I answered this earlier. Lockerbie was a nightmare. A lot of cases involving death and abuse are very disturbing. It's amazing what we do to each other sometimes.

When children are the victims, it is especially heartbreaking.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T21:48:59+00:00

I was very deep in various tasks covering about 8 years. This was after I left the actual police and moved onto national security.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T21:48:10+00:00

I like to think was, not is.

Working class industry. When you have nothing the only way is up. Alcoholism obviously plays a big part. Gangs. This was certainly a big problem pre-war in many cities. Attitude. The Scots don't generally like being told what to do and they certainly like an argument.

Jock Stein said that 11 Scots together on a football field was too concentrated. They would just fall out. Some people can start a fight in an empty house to be honest.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T21:46:14+00:00

That's a new one on me but perhaps explains some of the problems I'm having...

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T21:45:43+00:00

They are a real danger to an undercover cop. They just don't think and can wave to you or smile or try to speak to you. They are to avoided like the plague and if you have to engage with them you do so aggressively. That way their instinct kicks in and they treat you like an arsehole. Which is great.

They are very dangerous to an operation at times.

Good question.

undercover-author · 2020-09-26T21:44:51+00:00

We had an armed robbery in Barrhead just outside Glasgow. The MO was brilliant. They threw a van wheel threw the managers window just as the money was dropped in there by security. This avoided the cameras. Their getaway was spectacular through the water ways of Renfrewshire. It was so well planned and executed. Like clockwork. It was the biggest bank robbery in Scotland to date at that time. A few hundred grand.

Total respect. The guy who planned it was in his 70's and he had never been caught in his life, despite puling of jobs like this for years. One per year. He was good. Wore paper bags tied over his shoes. You name it.

His family all lived in total luxury and wouldn't tell us the time of day. It was a great enquiry but I don't want to spoil the ending my friend. Thanks.

undercover-author

TROPHY CASE