Firearms and Fatals: An Autobiography of 30 years Front Line Policing Exposed

by Harry Tangye

When regaling numerous hilariously funny, some beautifully sad and some utterly tragic accounts from events over 30 years of Policing experience, many a friend and colleague of Sergeant Harry Tangye has said, "You just have to write a book!" and so he did. The author has worked as a front line police officer in the Devon and Cornwall Police with the Armed Response Unit and Traffic department for 23 of those 30 years with the others spent on the beat in areas such as Torbay, Exeter and Plymouth. He was an Operational Firearms Commander, a Firearms Tactics Advisor a VIP protection officer and Pursuit Tactics advisor along with investigating many a fatal road traffic collision being regarded as an expert in his field on many aspects. Allow yourself to be taken along with him on a journey from adventure to adventure, covering all emotions possible, covering how policing was done in the past, to how it is done today. Harry has 10's of thousands of followers on his award-winning Police Twitter account which has allowed him to become an influential voice within Policing and politics and is often described as "controversial", by media outlets. He is straight-talking, to the mark and cannot abide policy for policy sake but prefers the individual and personal aspect on everyday life. "Treat every person you meet as if they were your own mother", he says, "...and then you won't go too far wrong".

Genres: Nonfiction, Crime, Police, Biography, Autobiography

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2020

Reviews

[Andrew Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reckon I could've read this book at one sitting - but life gets in the way.

To say it has pace would be an understatement - it's not a piece of literature, more a collation of various accounts of matters within the author's personal knowledge as he served as a truly frontline cop for 30 years.

It would be suitable reading for any Home Office official, Police & Crime Commissioner and a lot of senior cops - to educate them. I suspect a lot of "real" cops would just applaud and concur.

I'm tempted to send a copy to Priti Patel.

[Mary T Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good depiction of life as a British police officer up until April 2020 when Sgt Harry Tangye retired, having served for 30 years protecting the residents of Devon and Cornwall. A sobering read at times but also has amusing moments. It makes the reader realise the sheer pressure that police officers are under, from many different directions.

I followed Sgt Tangye on Twitter and found his tweets interesting and informative; this book gives a broader view of his daily working life. I hope he has a long and happy retirement, he’s certainly earned it.

[Gail and Alfie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly heartfelt book written from someone on the front line, makes you laugh and cry, an eye opener to just what actually goes on, this Policeman truly cared about his colleagues and members of the public.
And all the ‘ do gooders’ out there that always say’poor man, he’s so nice, no need to treat him like that’ need to have a ride along and see what really happens.
I would 100% recommend this book
A great job and Thank you for your service.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well written giving a great insight into the role of the police officer these days. Some hard hitting chapters to read though.

[Helen Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another police tell all book I've read!! Really enjoyed it, Harry has a way of saying it how it is while putting it quite eloquently! I did struggle a bit with some of the sentences being not quite grammatically or punctuationally correct but soon learnt to accept it and enjoy the book despite it. Some of the police incidents and particularly the rtas were graphic, one in particular should have had a warning on it I think. I was reading it in bed at night and it did upset me. I take my hat off to anyone who has served in the police force for a serious length of time and 30 years is highly commendable. When the majority of that has been as a "traffic cop" and armed response the things he must have seen and dealt with makes this length of service even more stand out. It was also really interesting to read of Harry's involvement with twitter and his speaking out and highlighting issues that affect so many serving officers. Not many would do that, and knowing that sometimes he was going to get himself into hot water because of it. This along with the rest of the book demonstrates the type of police officer Sergeant Harry was and I'm sure Devon and Cornwall Constabulary has greatly felt his loss since his retirement.

[Mrs R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am 30 years served myself (although never trusted with a firearm!) and I totally enjoyed Harry’s book. Written from the heart, no punches pulled as to the complexities and heartache at times of the job but also with humour along the way. All of it resonated with me (well, apart from the traffic bit as I was mainly a CID girl) but Theresa May (he was kinder about her than I am), benefits day, the role of family liaison officers (a role I have done a few times) and most of all, to my amusement, law students- always the most obnoxious drunks!! An honest account of his 30 years and a very good read. I found him by chance on twitter and until I read his book I didn’t realise how big he was in twitter world, a lucky find for me! Highly recommend Harry’s book, you won’t be bored or disappointed.

[Mrs N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much, the author is not afraid to reveal how challenging it can be to do the job he did.
It’s so easy to sit at home and criticise the actions of our Police officers, without any idea of the immense responsibility they carry in all situations. There are certainly rogue officers, but mostly our officers do a fantastic job, running towards events from which everyone else runs.
I believe we have the best force in the world and support them 100%.

[robert johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read.

I’ve been following Harry for awhile on Twitter. His book is a collection of some his blogs, he writes like he was born to it. He has a lot to say, and he knows what he is talking about. People up high in policing need to listen to this man and others and get policing back on track.

[Nick Morice-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Insight into a varied Police Career

This is such a good read and gives a real insight into the daily trauma that officers have to contend with. Written with humour and compassion, if anyone fails to appreciate what our Police do for us day in day out after reading this book, they aren’t human.

[Lbardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable book - made even better by being local which meant I was able to relate to many locations. The only downside was I found there were many repeated sections/phrases and where I kept scratching my head wondering if my kindle had jumped around.

Book a great book, and enjoyable tales from the life of a very experienced and respected ARV officer.

[Beth Escott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book quite challenging to finish and almost gave up on it...it at times veers off subject and is incredibly repetitive. The last few chapters were captivating and exciting - a shame the rest of the book was not the same!

[Anna Rockall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't wanna put it down!


Loved it! Such a good insight into the world of policing and what heroes these boys and girls are! Such a hard job and so thankful there are people who want to do it!

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished in almost one sitting such a fantastic book and very interesting. Will definitely listen to it again. It’s one of those books that each time you listen or read it again you will learn a little more each time.

[Paul Landon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. Having also served 30+ years as a front line police officer, in a neighbouring force, I felt that this author's main aim was self promotion rather than trying to be informative about the situations police officers face every day.

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was light hearted in phrasing but hard hitting and something that inspired picking the book up again and again!
Harry's artistic rhetoric adds lots of wimsy to lots of parts of his story but also pure dread and heartbreak when required.

I would say this is a must read!

[Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest account of day to day policing

Fab book very honest account of policing and its daily life, shows all the warts and all so really true to real life.

[katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

Well written with a lovely insight into the life of and roles of an officer. Proud of our police force. Thank you

[Shane Turnbull · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Policeman Carreer

Excellent read throughout this boo. Recommend to anyone to read.to.see a insight into a police man career. Give it a go!

[gary fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made me think

Very insightful and thought provoking, helped me to see things from an officers point of view.sad to see how support respect Tec has been lost.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

A touch boring, he only goes into more detail when he goes on about his blogs in the end. A couple hundred pages of beige information. Have read much better, more detailed accounts.

[lisa unwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening

I follow him on Twitter, so tried the book this is a really interesting book about the experiences of a police officer

[Jane Cadden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Couldn’t put it down👍

[Maureenbladonhotmail.co.uk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Background to Policing

What a well written and thoroughly interesting book. It should balance the adverse comments so often and usually so wrongly direct at our cops.

[James Higham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

Harry puts on paper what many of us who served our 30 years think every day.
Thanks Harry great read

[Mr P R Gosling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth reading.

A lot better than some of the “Emergency Services” tales. Gives what seems to be a real insight into the everyday life of police officer

[Amanda Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Control Room Operator this was an extremely interesting read. I wished there were more diary's like this that illustrate demand in the police force

[Nik · Rating 1 out of 5]

braggy and pretentious. very pro.police anti public, a lot of random capitalisation, reads like a year 5 wrote it. a smart year 5 but still a year 5

[Katie 'KT' · Rating 4 out of 5]

A self-published exploration of Harry Tangye's time in Avon and Somerset Police service, with a large proportion of his service conducted as a Firearm's officer. Firearms and Fatals follows Tangye's escapades throughout his time in various roles and positions in the force. Told with a refreshing frankness, specific events are recounted with additional context that helps the reader understand the position the Police are placed in and how, in this age of social media trolls and intrusive tabloids, context and details of circumstances are often misconstrued or missed out entirely. An eye-opener for anyone that wishes to get a reality check on how they view the UK Police.

RECOMMENDED!

[nicola clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

What a good read very entertaining and very well written. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants quick easy read

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having followed Harry on twitter for several years, it’s been refreshing to hear the stories behind the tweets. An eye opening view of how policing has changed over the last 20+ years. Some of the anecdotes had me crying with laughter.