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Handcuffed Emotions: A Police Interceptor's Drive Into Darkness
Ben Pearson has spent the last 19 years of his life fighting crime. He is in the elite Roads Policing Unit of West Yorkshire Police, featured in the hit TV series “Police Interceptors” showing on Channel 5. As a decorated officer, he has driven in the fastest, most dangerous pursuits. Arrested murders, rapists, alongside high-profile burglars. Taken down the most violent of offenders, bringing them to justice. Unbeknown to Ben, his greatest fight was yet to come. After dealing with a series of heinous, fatal collisions and losing his parents, Ben’s mind became his worst enemy. ‘Handcuffed Emotions – A Police Interceptor’s Drive into Darkness’, tells of his fight, not only for his family, his health, and his sanity, but against a System that failed him. Ben’s journey stretches from his early training days as a recruit, through the reality of life as a police officer and known TV personality into the dark depths of PTSD. The incidents are real. His emotions overwhelming. The illness devastating. His remarkable handling of it courageous. Handcuffed Emotions is a must read for anyone who had suffered debilitating traumas and faced mental illness. It is both enlightening, thought provoking and brings hope to those who suffer in silence.
248 pages, Paperback
Published November 23, 2020
18 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 10, 2021
I got the book after seeing Ben's You Tube shorts on his career and the struggles with mental health.
The book at times is a harrowing read but it is essential for the reader to understand Ben's C-PTSD. Saying that, it is also a book that makes you grateful there are policemen and women like Ben helping to get scumbags off the street and keeping us safe.
It is also a book that makes you realise that it's okay not to be okay and that help is there.
Not sure if Ben reads these reviews but as a Leeds lad, I would like to thank you for your dedication as a copper and I hope everything works out for you in the future.
The book at times is a harrowing read but it is essential for the reader to understand Ben's C-PTSD. Saying that, it is also a book that makes you grateful there are policemen and women like Ben helping to get scumbags off the street and keeping us safe.
It is also a book that makes you realise that it's okay not to be okay and that help is there.
Not sure if Ben reads these reviews but as a Leeds lad, I would like to thank you for your dedication as a copper and I hope everything works out for you in the future.
February 22, 2021
I had been following Ben for a while on Twitter and saw how passionate he was about mental health so was very interested to read his story when his book was published.
My late Dad was a policeman also and I have always had so much respect for our emergency services and the difficulties they face every day not just physically but mentally too. I had been following Ben for a while on Twitter as well as watching Police Intercepters on C5 which Ben was in and saw how passionate he was about mental health so was keen to read this.
The book begins from Bens early years, his journey into the Police force (there sounded some fun times during training!) And how he navigated through the early years of being a Police Officer.
Ben’s story relives some of his 19 years in the Police Force, stories about such traumatic events that I think would break most of us. It highlights the public’s perception of the Police, unfortunately not everyone respects them and the abuse they also receive is appalling. There are happy stories too as well as writing about his family. Ben writes from the heart with such raw emotion about how his mental health started to suffer. Having suffered and still do sometimes with mental health issues I really resonated with Ben’s struggle. It was frustrating to see how Ben was let down by the Police force in terms of supporting him fully with his mental health, that’s not to say he wasn’t shown any compassion, Ben makes it clear he was from colleagues but the overall system let him down.
Ben no longer works for the Police force and is getting support for his PTSD, this book is part of his recovery which I am sure will help many other people not just fellow officers as well as making important changes in how employers deal with mental health compassionately and effectively.
Thank you Ben for you story, it takes guts to write so openly and truthfully and you are not a failure, you should be commended.
This is an emotional read but I do recommend it as it makes you appreciate our Police even more and most importantly ‘it’s Okay to not be Okay’
My late Dad was a policeman also and I have always had so much respect for our emergency services and the difficulties they face every day not just physically but mentally too. I had been following Ben for a while on Twitter as well as watching Police Intercepters on C5 which Ben was in and saw how passionate he was about mental health so was keen to read this.
The book begins from Bens early years, his journey into the Police force (there sounded some fun times during training!) And how he navigated through the early years of being a Police Officer.
Ben’s story relives some of his 19 years in the Police Force, stories about such traumatic events that I think would break most of us. It highlights the public’s perception of the Police, unfortunately not everyone respects them and the abuse they also receive is appalling. There are happy stories too as well as writing about his family. Ben writes from the heart with such raw emotion about how his mental health started to suffer. Having suffered and still do sometimes with mental health issues I really resonated with Ben’s struggle. It was frustrating to see how Ben was let down by the Police force in terms of supporting him fully with his mental health, that’s not to say he wasn’t shown any compassion, Ben makes it clear he was from colleagues but the overall system let him down.
Ben no longer works for the Police force and is getting support for his PTSD, this book is part of his recovery which I am sure will help many other people not just fellow officers as well as making important changes in how employers deal with mental health compassionately and effectively.
Thank you Ben for you story, it takes guts to write so openly and truthfully and you are not a failure, you should be commended.
This is an emotional read but I do recommend it as it makes you appreciate our Police even more and most importantly ‘it’s Okay to not be Okay’
September 28, 2021
Unputdownable is the only word I can use to describe the first of Ben Pearson's books. To read this book by someone who's held such a professional, stoic job for 19+ years and through our television screens for a few is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at once. As someone who is surrounded by 4 walls on a daily basis dealing with mental health and invisible illnesses it's heartwarming to hear and know I'm not alone, but so completely heartbreaking to hear of the torture he has suffered and the lack of support from West Yorkshire Police. To read of someone who has held such a role be so completely open about his mental health demise and his ongoing journey with c-ptsd, the traumas he has witnessed not just once but on a daily basis and then not from a distance but having to run in time and time again is so distressing. To hear this illness has affected all areas of Ben's life with his role in the police force force elite, as a father and a partner is upsetting, but to hear many of his feelings and mask-wearing situations I've certainly echoed myself. One thing is certain that life is short, it's not a dress rehearsal and Ben has already learnt of his limitations; he fully understands where he is and where he wants to get to. The work he does on social media and now through this book needs commending, it's rare for people anyway to bring mental health out do openly. Now I can't wait to read his second book!
December 7, 2020
Heartwarming and Heartbreaking
Beautifully written with a passion for success that shines from the start. The situations and scenes dealt with are soul destroying even just as a reader that is not witnessing this hell. To have no support when so much of his life has been given is heartbreaking and the struggles he has been left with are unfair in every way. I will pray for Ben to come out of the other side of PTSD even stronger than he already is. This book will help a lot of people and I already know people I will buy it for.
Beautifully written with a passion for success that shines from the start. The situations and scenes dealt with are soul destroying even just as a reader that is not witnessing this hell. To have no support when so much of his life has been given is heartbreaking and the struggles he has been left with are unfair in every way. I will pray for Ben to come out of the other side of PTSD even stronger than he already is. This book will help a lot of people and I already know people I will buy it for.
July 26, 2021
A Real Eye Opener
I have followed Ben on YouTube so I already knew some of his story, reading his book joins up more of the dots and gives a good insight into his tough role as a modern policeman.
Many of us will struggle with mental health at one time or another of our lives and Ben’s frank and honest account shows that we are not alone in this. However I very much doubt many of us will ever have to face the many distressing situations that Ben has in his career and he should be commended and respected for his devotion and dedication to his job and society.
I have followed Ben on YouTube so I already knew some of his story, reading his book joins up more of the dots and gives a good insight into his tough role as a modern policeman.
Many of us will struggle with mental health at one time or another of our lives and Ben’s frank and honest account shows that we are not alone in this. However I very much doubt many of us will ever have to face the many distressing situations that Ben has in his career and he should be commended and respected for his devotion and dedication to his job and society.
September 28, 2021
A great read very educational and highlights that taboo subject of Mental Health. As has Ben I have suffered Mental Health issues in the Security Industry and when you go out to a Shooting or a Machete attack or a Crash you don’t know what you are going to find when you go to check on your colleagues involved Along with working for UK Transplant and getting the likes of Ben to escort you through the streets at high speed to deliver organs or Surgeons to remove organs and insert organs to save lives is critical and stressful
January 12, 2021
Emotional
This book is written from the heart giving an insight into the horrendous incidents our police have to deal with on a daily basis..I hope this books helps to make a difference to the help and support the police will get in the future..well done Ben for putting your emotions out there and I hope life improves for you..the author Pat really captured Ben's emotions in her writing
This book is written from the heart giving an insight into the horrendous incidents our police have to deal with on a daily basis..I hope this books helps to make a difference to the help and support the police will get in the future..well done Ben for putting your emotions out there and I hope life improves for you..the author Pat really captured Ben's emotions in her writing
October 24, 2021
This is a compelling but sad read by Ben Pearson, detailing his struggle with mental health in his job as a police officer. It takes real guts to lay bare your emotions and I truly hope Ben's life is improving. This book will have touched so many people in all walks of life and makes you realise how our police officers are undervalued and lacking in support from the government. Thank you Ben for your service.
September 19, 2022
A sometimes harrowing insight into a traffic cops life.
The book details Ben's struggle with PTSD and just how hard it is to be a police officer today. We are so lucky to have these men & women looking after us. More needs to be done to look after them.
I couldn't put the book down and will definitely read the next one.
The book details Ben's struggle with PTSD and just how hard it is to be a police officer today. We are so lucky to have these men & women looking after us. More needs to be done to look after them.
I couldn't put the book down and will definitely read the next one.
November 28, 2020
Wow
I've just read this in one go only stopping to use the bathroom and what can I say I'm literally blown away by the honesty and gut wrenching dark moments that are so bravely spoken about in this book. An amazing read that literally brought me to tears. A must read.
I've just read this in one go only stopping to use the bathroom and what can I say I'm literally blown away by the honesty and gut wrenching dark moments that are so bravely spoken about in this book. An amazing read that literally brought me to tears. A must read.
December 1, 2020
Just finished #HandcuffedEmotions by @bs_pearson and all I can say is wow! Honest account of what people don’t see. A definite must-read for anyone who supports the #EmergencyServices. Well done Ben for being so open #ItsOKNotToBeOk
December 17, 2020
What a truly amazing memoir!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, laughed and felt sadness and anger. Hope there will be another by the same author. Read it in a day! Could not put it down.
Thank you Ben x
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, laughed and felt sadness and anger. Hope there will be another by the same author. Read it in a day! Could not put it down.
Thank you Ben x
January 10, 2021
What a soul searching heart breaking account of someone's life ...it's so sad how this man who protected and served was let down by the one place who should have stood up and supported....there are plenty of positives from this book.....please to everyone get help if you need it !
August 7, 2021
A great insight into the reality that the forces face on a daily basis. Its really sad that organisations of this size, don't look after their staff properly. I hope you get well soon Ben. Your videos are brilliant, keep them going. Stay strong.
February 13, 2024
This is a pretty interesting account of what it's like to be inside the police force. I think there's an obvious generational gap in this book but it's enjoyable and insightful. It's got a very heavy subject matter obviously but it's handled well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2024
Book 7: An Autobiography. Handcuffed Emotions by Benjamin Pearson. This book follows an ex Police interceptor (yes he was on the show) and his battle with Complex PTSD. It was a hard story to hear but well worth it.
May 23, 2025
Easy read, very touching story although very heavy in places. Much love to Ben for writing such an honest and open account such difficult experiences. I would recommend absolutely anybody to read this book.
April 4, 2021
Brilliant
Everyone should read this it might help people to realise that police officers are human beings with human emotions and reactions
Everyone should read this it might help people to realise that police officers are human beings with human emotions and reactions
December 16, 2021
Thought would download Ben’s book after chatting with him via Twitter and watching his YouTube.
What a fantastic book. My husband has PTSD triggered by his previous role within the Policing World and my dad who is a retired Officer suffers from mental Health issues brought on from his role. I hope that many officers and staff within the Police have been able to open up more about their mental health. Police and other organisations such as nhs have a long way to go regarding staff welfare and looking after their own, but they are slowly showing signs of starting to do so.
Hopefully from accounts such as Ben’s they can learn and start helping others more in way they should of done all along.
What a fantastic book. My husband has PTSD triggered by his previous role within the Policing World and my dad who is a retired Officer suffers from mental Health issues brought on from his role. I hope that many officers and staff within the Police have been able to open up more about their mental health. Police and other organisations such as nhs have a long way to go regarding staff welfare and looking after their own, but they are slowly showing signs of starting to do so.
Hopefully from accounts such as Ben’s they can learn and start helping others more in way they should of done all along.
January 29, 2023
Important topic but the book was so poorly edited it made it difficult to read.
September 28, 2025
wow what a fab insight into c-ptsd and the struggles Ben has faced.
May 21, 2022
This book took less than twenty-four hours to read. I could not put it down. I think Ben Pearson should be saluted for his impact on accepting mental health issues happen to anybody and most especially those of us who are in the line of situations and incidents that other people do not see and so can not comprehend.
My dad was a Yorkshireman so I fully understand the very real ‘keep calm and carry on’ attitude that Ben talks about.
The idea that trauma exists and can have a significant effect on your wellbeing is not something that people of a certain age have been brought up to understand. We see bad things and hear bad things but tomorrow we are supposed to get up and just get on.
Mr Pearson you have written not just a wonderful autobiographical work but as a big and burley traffic officer you have gone a long way to making it acceptable to say ‘the things I have seen and heard are too much and I can’t do this anymore’.
This book is easy to read, tense and funny in places it made me cry more times than I would usually admit.
Thank you so much.
My dad was a Yorkshireman so I fully understand the very real ‘keep calm and carry on’ attitude that Ben talks about.
The idea that trauma exists and can have a significant effect on your wellbeing is not something that people of a certain age have been brought up to understand. We see bad things and hear bad things but tomorrow we are supposed to get up and just get on.
Mr Pearson you have written not just a wonderful autobiographical work but as a big and burley traffic officer you have gone a long way to making it acceptable to say ‘the things I have seen and heard are too much and I can’t do this anymore’.
This book is easy to read, tense and funny in places it made me cry more times than I would usually admit.
Thank you so much.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews