The Police History Society have published thier 85th Newsletter where they have reviewed Steve Woodward’ book, The Long Short Walk:
Steve Woodward. The long short walk: diary of a traffic police family liaison officer.
Shieldcrest, 2015. xxxii, 296p, illus
ISBN: 978-1910176481. £19.95
Steve Woodward served for 30 years as a PC in the Portsmouth area of Hampshire, mainly as a traffic officer. For the last six years of that time, he was a family liaison officer for fatal or near-fatal traffic collisions. The first section of his book explains the duties of that role and how he came to volunteer for it. The long, short walk is that to the front door of the victim’s family to break the news to them.
He then recounts fifteen case histories and very harrowing they are. His job was not helped by unsympathetic bureaucrats within and outside the police service, intrusive reporters and defence lawyers whose concern for their clients’ legitimate rights only served to prolong the family’s distress. This is obviously not light reading but I do recommend it for its insight into what must be one of the most stressful aspects of police work.
For more information and to purchase your copy of this title please cilck Here.
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