NCJ Number
57348
Date Published
1978
Length
320 pages
Annotation
FOCUSING ON SIR ROBERT MARK'S CAREER AS THE COMMISSIONER OF THE METROPOLITAN POLICE IN ENGLAND FROM 1972 TO 1977, THIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY RECALLS HIS BATTLES AGAINST CORRUPTION, TERRORISM, AND VIOLENT CRIME.
Abstract
SIR ROBERT MARK PROVIDES AN UNSENTIMENTAL ACCOUNT OF HIS EXPERIENCES AS A YOUNG CONSTABLE IN THE MANCHESTER POLICE FORCE, HIS TRAINING AND BATTLE EXPERIENCES DURING WORLD WAR II, AND HIS STEADY RISE THROUGH THE RANKS FROM CHIEF CONSTABLE OF LEICESTER TO ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF THE METROPOLITAN POLICE AND FINALLY TO COMMISSIONER. THE BULK OF THIS WORK CONCERNS HIS ATTEMPTS TO ELIMINATE POLICE CORRUPTION IN THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DEPARTMENT (SCOTLAND YARD), CONFRONTATIONS WITH TERRORIST TACTICS OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY (IRA), AND RACIAL VIOLENCE. AS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, HE INITIATED REFORMS REGARDING THE ASSESSMENT OF OFFICERS FOR DAMAGE OR LOSS OF EQUIPMENT OR PROPERTY, THE ALLOCATION OF MARRIED QUARTERS, AND REMUNERATION OF THE STAFF OF SEVERAL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. IN ADDITION, THE INTERNAL POLICE DISCIPLINE SYSTEM WAS USED EFFECTIVELY TO REDUCE CORRUPTION IN SCOTLAND YARD, EVIDENCED BY 478 MEN DEPARTING FROM THE FORCE FOLLOWING OR IN ANTICIPATION OF CRIMINAL OR DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS. THE ARBITRARY REMOVAL FROM SCOTLAND YARD TO UNIFORM DUTIES OF ANYONE THOUGHT TO HAVE FORFEITED THE CONFIDENCE OF HIS SENIORS ALSO WAS USED TO ROOT OUT CORRUPTION. AS COMMISSIONER, SIR MARK WAS CONCERNED ABOUT IRA BOMBINGS, PORNOGRAPHY TRIALS, JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES, MEDIA CONFRONTATIONS, AND RACIAL ANTAGONISMS. IN 1975, A SIEGE TOOK PLACE BETWEEN THE POLICE AND FOUR IRA TERRORISTS IN AN APARTMENT ON BALCOMBE STREET IN LONDON. ONE OF THE MORE SENSATIONAL CASES DURING SIR MARK'S TENURE, THE SIEGE LASTED OVER 5 DAYS AND RESULTED IN THE SURRENDER OF THE TERRORISTS, DUE TO EFFECTIVE POLICE TACTICS. THE MOST DIFFICULT AND POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE CASE, IN 1975, INVOLVED A ROBBERY AND TAKING OF HOSTAGES BY THREE BLACK GUNMEN AT LONDON'S SPAGHETTI HOUSE RESTAURANT. THE GUNMEN SURRENDERED WITHOUT THE POLICE FIRING A SHOT. INTERSPERSED THROUGHOUT THE BOOK ARE COMMENTS CONCERNING FAMILY AND FINANCIAL PROBLEMS, PERSONAL REFLECTIONS, THE ROLE OF THE POLICE, THE FUTURE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS. PHOTOGRAPHS AND AN INDEX ACCOMPANY THE TEXT. (WJR)