Cops and Barrister Stories Archives

British Barristers and Those Funny Wigs

Published by Stephen Bentley on September 13, 2016

In answer to a query from a Filipino friend, I said that I used to be a barrister. She looked puzzled for a while then exclaimed, “Right! Got you, those funny things on their heads. What do you call them?” The answer was wigs. Yes, that’s me in 1997 the night I was “Called to the Bar” of England and Wales. The wig often became unbearably hot and stuffy even in an air-conditioned court room. As my confidence grew, I often would remove it to scratch my head to relieve the itchiness caused by the real horsehair material. The history of the Bar in England is an ancient and rich tale. You can read about it in an American Bar Association (ABA) publication for free…

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11 Reasons Why You Should Watch This Space Or Miss Out!

Published by Stephen Bentley on August 20, 2016

That’s correct – “11 Reasons Why You Should Watch This Space Or Miss Out!” There are 11 days left in August including today August 20, 2016. Your opportunity to win a FREE signed copy of “Undercover: Operation Julie – The Inside Story” and a $50 Amazon voucher will be greatly enhanced by watching out for the final questions designed to select a lucky winner! I must express my thanks to all of you for supporting my efforts as an “indie” author and my blog. It’s truly appreciated. Let me recap on the 3 competitions I ran in connection with my book: Competition # 1 There is a winner in the competition in the post Undercover Cop – What Would You Do Next? Drum roll! And, the winner…

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Sixth Sense: A Work in Progress

Published by Stephen Bentley on July 15, 2016

My work in progress (WIP) is a debut novel. The provisional title is Sixth Sense. It is unsurprisingly based on my undercover days. In fact, the first few thousand words are based on a true incident while I was undercover. The incident described is taken from my memoir with a few things changed to suit the novel format. If you read my memoir, you will see that I write about an alternative theory about two of the real-life characters in my book. This novel is a fiction version of that alternative theory. The characters are fictional but based on real individuals, to a point. Then they develop into creations of my own imagination, as do the plot and story line. I am having fun with…

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Pre-Order Now on Amazon UK and Amazon US

Pre-Order Now on Amazon UK and Amazon US

Published by Stephen Bentley on July 6, 2016

I am delighted to inform you that Undercover: Operation Julie – The Inside Story is now available for pre-order. The proposed publication date is September 14, 2016. This post first appeared on the Stephen Bentley – Author website. Now Available for Pre-Order at both Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk UK Amazon Customers Follow this link to go to the UK store. My true crime memoir Undercover Operation Julie – The Inside Story can now be ordered for delivery following the scheduled publication date of September 14, 2016. And don’t forget it’s Amazon Prime day on July 12th. Some great deals will be on offer. Make sure you get your copy of my book by ordering now. This is the back cover ‘blurb’ – The drugs underworld knew…

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Undercover Cops Forbidden to Use Drugs!

Undercover Cops Forbidden to Use Drugs!

Published by Stephen Bentley on June 29, 2016

I know a thing or two about undercover cops. The story ‘Undercover police rulebook to be published for the first time’ was published today on the BBC website. I read it with interest. As regular readers, you will be aware of the impending publication of my own book – Undercover: Operation Julie – The Inside Story. I found that the guidelines had been devised by the College of Policing. It was known as the Bramshill Police College in my day. That worried me. From my own experiences, I find that these people are academics. There is a place for academics but it’s not out on the street infiltrating one of the largest (at the time) drugs gangs in the world. What particularly worried me after…

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The Irish Speak English Don’t They?

Published by Stephen Bentley on January 16, 2016

I was asked the question in the title. It was in Thailand, so it was understandable. I have found on my travels in Asia that I often have to explain about the Irish, Scots, Welsh and English. Anyone who has experienced working with an Irish man or woman can attest to the fact that most have a way with words and storytelling. My varied work experiences brought me into contact with so many of them especially in my former careers as a detective and a barrister, as colleagues and clients! Irish Counsel My law practice as a barrister in England was predominantly as an advocate in criminal trials. Most of those trials culminated in final speeches. A final speech is the advocate’s last opportunity to…

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What is it like to work undercover?

Published by Stephen Bentley on December 26, 2015

Undercover Work? – What’s it Like? As an undercover veteran, I was intrigued by this question when I spotted it in a Quora forum. I was even more intrigued by the first of the answers. That answer is reproduced in full below. It is written by Tim Dees, a criminal justice technology writer and consultant. His Quora profile adds that he is a retired police officer and criminal justice college professor, now writing on applications of technology in law enforcement and corrections. Dees is therefore an academic now and a popular one at that! His answers on Quora have exceeded 500k in the past 30 days! He is a retired cop from Reno. A lot of what he says below is correct, but I do take issue with…

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Honest Thai Cop – They Don’t Grow on Trees

Honest Thai Cop – They Don’t Grow on Trees

Published by Stephen Bentley on November 5, 2015

There is a connection between the title of this post and a recent post of mine here about Phuket Beach Madness. There have now been some new developments about the beach “madness” and I am once more grateful to Phuketwan for being the bearer of that news. You will later learn as to why there is a connection between the title and Phuketwan. Rohingya Peoples and Human Trafficking In case you are unaware, Phuketwan is an English language newspaper based in Phuket, Thailand. Unfortunately, it is not being published after December 31 2015. I am unaware as to the reasons for it shutting down and I can only assume it is to do with its role in exposing the Royal Thai Navy’s involvement in corruption concerning human trafficking…

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Top Cover on a Snatch Vehicle

Top Cover on a Snatch Vehicle

Published by Stephen Bentley on November 5, 2015

Top Gun Top Cover “Top cover” is arguably one of the most important jobs for an infantry soldier in a British Army snatch vehicle. As the name implies he (or she) is perched on top of the vehicle at its highest point gaining the best possible view to scope everything that is going on when on patrol. The vehicle does not carry armaments. Top cover will only carry their own personal infantry weapon. View image | gettyimages.com Snatch The snatch vehicle is based on a Land Rover and offers minimal protection to the occupants particularly from roadside bombs (IEDs). Its origins are to be found in the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland when it was used to drive into the rioting mob to assist the “snatch…

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“Barrister Speak”: A Guide

“Barrister Speak”: A Guide

Published by Stephen Bentley on October 8, 2015

I shamelessly reproduce this post on a blog from a barrister finding his way through the criminal justice system in England. I thank my London lawyer friend who posted the dialog on Facebook. It deserves as wide an audience as possible. It is so “on the button” and so true. Sometimes the barrister jargon backfires on the speaker. It happened to me once in front of a senior judge at Inner London Crown Court. Whatever I said to him, and of course in “barrister speak” but I forget exactly what I said, was not fully understood by the learned judge. I was in one of those awkward spots when the client was being extremely difficult if not impossible, and I had to convey to the judge…

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Category: Cops and Barrister Stories