A police officer wrote this on March 15, 2021 at 5:27 pm. I’ve reproduced it here because I found it humbling, worrying and really quite frightening.
‘I’m a cop of 20 years. I’m leaving. I’m done.
I’m done with the duplicitous liars and twisters of truth in Parliament, who have destroyed policing in order to further their own careers. I’m done with those charlatans and snake oil salesmen and women who spread their bile, whose acid eats away at society and it’s values and future. I’m done with the utter lack of consequences for their corruption.
I’m done with duplicitous liars and twisters of truth in the media and “journalism” with their spin, lies, misrepresentation and half truths. I’m done with their 24 hours news, their twitter echo chambers, their pile on tactics and agendas, in order to invent the next “big” story or extend the life of the old one. I’m done with their sickening pretence that they are on some crusade to make the world a better place.
I’m done …
I’m done with the socially corrosive special interest groups who want to be top of the victimhood ladder and are prepared to burn the world and anyone different to them, to ensure they are heard above anyone else. Their constant screaming for attention and ever more fantastical claims, that bear no scrutiny, but which they know they will never be challenged on, because, you know “cancel culture”.
I’m done with the public, their violence, their lying, their abuse, their spitting, their constant screaming for instant gratification and destruction of anything and everyone around them if they don’t get their own way, like a bunch of petulant adolescents. I’m done with their demand for every right real or imagined and their utter lack of personal or social responsibility to each other.
I’m done with the senior officers who will jump on any bandwagon, throw any officer under a bus for doing their job, do anything at all to get that next rank and more power. I’m done with them pretending to be cops, when they are just politicians in uniform. At least real politicians don’t seek to hide their stench and are there for all the world to see, in all their obnoxious, odious glory.
I’m done with the far left and far right, two sides of the same violent, socially corrosive and destructive coin, trampling over anyone and everyone, destroying anything in their paths, if it doesn’t conform to the “right” narrative or world view. I’m done with their red and black flags, their balaclavas, their violence, bullying and intimidation. I’m done with them calling themselves Nazis or Antifa and pretending they are any different to the opposition. I’m done with their anti locution and persecution of anyone that isn’t on their side. I’m done with their cheerleaders in the media, who adopt their cause but absolve themselves of any responsibility for the harm they cause.
I’m done with the Soviet era scale bureaucracy that stops me doing my job, the projects that strangely never fail, the nepotism in the promotion boards and the boys and girls clubs in policing that look after each other, no matter how incompetent and screw everyone else who isn’t in their gang. I’m done with their self promoting cliques and associations, they hide behind when they are professionally incompetent, but always useful for a photo opportunity to make the force look good with whatever group is having their week or is fashionable that day.
I’m done with the (few) corrupt cops who drag all our names through the mud and the false narrative that the vast majority of front line cops are tainted.
I’m done seeing my brothers and sisters on the front line battered, criticised, unsupported and demoralised. I’m done with their fortitude, inherent goodness and sense of service, that makes them run forward, knowing the armchair critics will crucify them after. I’m done with their false hope that things will improve, that society will value them. I’m done with them being lied to by our leaders and then lying to themselves, that, maybe, just maybe, this time those leaders can be trusted, I’m done with seeing those youngster suffer and age far too fast as a decent life passes them by as they waste their lives on this.
I’m done with grandstanding cops, dancing for YouTube, wearing rainbows as self promotion, kneeling for a twitter photo, lecturing the public about things that shouldn’t concern us, forgetting we are the law police, not the public morals police, Im done with them doing anything other rather than actual policing. I’m done with the false narrative that suggests this is the norm and that all cops are more interested in being woke social workers than doing their job. A false narrative we have facilitated by allowing this self indulgent, shameless self promotion of a few individuals, to proliferate.
I’m done with cops being told they are somehow lesser without a degree and that instincts are bias and bad. That experience and street knowledge is discriminatory. I’m done with the lies that the College of Policing is on our side. That the courts value and support us. That the IOPC isn’t an insidiously untrustworthy organisation out to get us. That the HMIC understands policing.
I’m done with the anxiety, the anger, the constant state of heightened arousal in case of danger, even when I should be feeling safe in my own home. I’m done with the corrosive damage to my physical and mental health, sacrificed for a country and public, serving both in green and blue, for a country that couldn’t give a toss.
I’m done with the deaths, the suffering, the violence, the dishonesty, the predatory behaviour and all the other public faeces that you ask us to clean up.
I’m done with the the indescribable levels of frustration, rage, hate and despair that all the above has filled my life with, when all I wanted to do was look after the good people and lock up the bad. I’m done with the cynicism and distrust that it’s left me and the times I’ve put my family last, to ensure I was there for someone else’s. I’m done with the pain it causes them to see what this job does to us.
I’m a cop of 20 years service and I’m done with it. Sort your own mess up. Or don’t, and let it all collapse around you.
I’m done, and really don’t care anymore.’
This frightens me, and it should frighten you.
I hope it’s not to late to remind the few, when ill of them they speak,
That they are all that stands between the monsters and the weak.
And, while you’re here, let me share some news. I’m appearing at https://gwylcrimecymrufestival.co.uk/2021-guests/ in April. I’m on the bill doing a chat with Lee and Andrew Child. Yes, that Lee Child, the Reacher guy. It’s a free digital event run by Wales first crime literary festival. Why don’t you join us?
Matt Johnson 
Really honest and true comment, hope it doesn’t discourage the rest of serving police officers. We can’t let the criminals win. Hope you have a dream future and thanks for your service
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It grieves me that so many years of public service have left you feeling like this. I thank you for those years
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Good on you mate…I was a cop for 17 years and went out with PTSD. Finally someone with the balls to say what all cops think. Our society, world wide has gone crazy. There are no values, no morals, no sense of right and wrong. It appears that cops, world wide, are the blame for societies problems.
Thank you for your service, thank you for helping your community. Its time to take care of yourself and your family. Your brothers and sisters in blue are behind you.
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I worked for 10 years as Met Police administration, badly run, badly organised, by far the most bitchy environment I’ve ever worked in.
I’ve always held the police in high esteem, but what you have to put up with these days is terrible. What went wrong was the change from a police force to a police service. McDonald’s is a service , a petrol station is a service, not the police. The silent majority still hold you high, unfortunately we’re getting shouted down by all these idiots too. Good luck for the future.
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Matt,
Thank you for sharing your concerns and frustrations.
I have to hope that there is still a vast, but sadly silent, majority of decent people who will empathise with your feelings.
I cannot begin to understand the frustrations you describe but do know that if people like you are done then we really are heading towards a sad place.
Whilst many mock the Americans, a bit of the ‘thank you for your service’ culture from the silent majority might be a start?
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I’m retired police officer, injured on duty, and medical retired as such.
I’ve just read I’m Done.
I hear and feel your pain and frustration
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Ex police officer for 31years retired for 21 I could not and would not want to be a policeman today Good luck for the future
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A most excellent and extremely well articulated comment. Thank you and may it be it be circulated to those who have the ability to change things.
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I believe all the comments made in this article are so true even in the last couple of days various organisations,MPsand a number of people in the media and tv have supported the people who broke the law regarding Covid to attend a so call vigil when ask by the police to disburse that were attacked, when they responded to this by arresting some of the participants the media blamed the police rather than the people braking the law. The government have also tried to introduce a law to try to make the streets safer but this to has been criticised by all and saundry, including the owners of club, i believe this is because certain illegal things go on in at lest some of them that they do not want the police to know about not to help in their female customer’s safety
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spot on with all comments,the police should revert back to what it was many years ago when officers rose through the ranks for promotion and knew what policing was about not like now where most senior officers are political appointments and just do their masters bidding and never had any experiance of what being a real policeman was all abou.t
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I have to ask why you quit rather than try arresting some of the perpetrators for misconduct in public office.
I suggest also that it might be worth pursuing a claim for constructive dismissal.
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Mate, I retired after 30 years as a front line constable 15 years ago and it was horrendous then. I cannot begin to imagine the hell you guys are in now. If you can leave do it, save your health and sanity, the public have allowed this destruction and don’t deserve people like you sacrificing everything for their ill deserved comfort.
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From one ex West Mercia cop who’s just retired after 28 years service ABSOLUTELY SPOT ON
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I am so sorry that you feel this way 😦 But not surprised 😦 I still respect the police, when they are allowed to do what is right, real policing. Thank you for your service, it means a lot to know that there are so many good police who do care so much, but such a shame you have been so demoralised like this. I wish you all the very best for your future.
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I am 65 years of age and grew up as a Policemans son. As village bobby he commanded respect from the local community. He required no military battle dress, a helmet and truncheon sufficed. He enjoyed his work and was a staunch fellow of the community. He accepted promotion and a change of role to traffic then control room. He became increasingly aware of the changes afoot and was not happy. He took early retirement for his own peace of mind. For his retirement party I drove him having just passed my test. As I’m now 65 you can work out how long ago the rot was setting in!
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Rarely in the media and on line have I read so much truth. I think we should kick the PC brigade into the long grass and keep them there. Let’s get back to good old fashion policing. And give the men n women in the force the power to get on with their job. There used to say spare the rod and spoil the child. Look what has happened . The gobby pc mob have a lot to answer for.
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This is so sad but so unsurprising. I rarely put things on Facebook these days for fear of coming across different to someone who wishes to shout abuse, but the other day I spoke out and posted because I feel so strongly about the support our police should be getting, not abuse, accusations and the like. They are incredible. I sincerely hope this is the start of the pendulum of change. It’s gone too far and we need to back up as a society or we will fall off the edge.
This is a beautifully written painful message we should all hear and act on.
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Brilliantly said and very true it makes me so sad and angry about everything you have just spoken so eloquently about I wish I could do more to help I try and help people but you are correct some people do not want help they want the power to make us do their bidding.
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Agree with everything you say Matt. I was lucky enough to have retired 15yrs ago, having completed my 30, but the slide had already begun. Personaly, I spent the majority of my service on front line duties and suffered mental health problems during the latter part of my service, all due to the job. It makes me cringe to watch or read the news especially in regard to minority groups, who seem to have taken over the country. I believe your decision to leave the Job is the correct one and I wish you all the best in your future efforts.
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well said that man. may you find peace.
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Sir, I applaud you. As a veteran and retired firefighter I have worked alongside your colleagues. I thank you, the true guardians of this once great country now scarred by career politicians and ‘News’ agendas. God bless you all.
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Your observations and feelings are those felt by almost every police officer in the world. That fact alone should make politicians extremely nervous. Many do not understand that they do not control us, you control them. You all have rings in your nose chained to those morons who pretend to lead “their” people, when in fact they are solely making themselves richer. The irony is that the answers lie under those same ringed and chained noses. Start talking to one another. Power is in numbers and unity. Do not give in. You are right, they are wrong.
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I agree with you totally , I’m worried many more of you compatriots will follow you.
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Pingback: I’m done too. | Matt Johnson
I don’t know how you guys put up with these violent scumbags, swearing, spitting and screaming in your face, maybe it’s time we let you hit back, that’ll put many of the scum in their place.
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I am also a retired bobby after 20 years of loyal service. I am with you all the way. Thank you for posting my thoughts 🙏 💕
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I retired 30yrs yrs this month on a medical (on duty) pension. I could see the way things were going even then so I decided I didn’t want to be part of the ‘family’ any more.
However I really feel for those now working on the front line.
Those written words are so true.
Good luck in the future, there is some ‘good’ life outside.
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What a sad comment on policing nowadays, and so true. Unfortunately the general public, mostly have the same view.
We need to get back to how it used to be, when policemen were there to
keep the public safe from the criminal fraternity and not social workers.
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Wow. I feel your frustration and anger. What a shame to lose the good ones like you.
I agree with nearly all you said and believe we are truely lucky not to live in a ‘police state’ or somewhere like the US.
The police I’ve met have always been approachable and human’.
You see the worst side of life which most people have no idea about and training can hardly prepare you for. You should be paid more , respected and valued.
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Totally understand and appreciate where this is coming from. Unfortunately the views of the silent majority of the law abiding British public are rarely reported as they lack sensationalism. Most of us would ask that you reconsider and don’t let the bastards grind you down, but it is probably too late for that.
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Let all this soak in then ask yourselves what the hell have we done, closing our eyes to whats happening to Our Country, ANACHY, thats what. I remember a time when Police were Respected, slap across back of head of youngster causing problems enough to keep them on straight & narrow. Too much interference in Police, too many Cops busy dancing/kneeling whilst their mates do the work/get hurt. WAKE UP time is really running out, GB in great Danger. ENOUGH.
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Well Done! Now try to get it published in a paper like the Times, Telegraph, even the Guardian – I would enjoy reading it there then to see the letters page after – if – it was published!
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I for one apologies for all the grief that has come your way and would like to thank you for 20 years service and wish you all the best for the future, it could not have been an easy decision to make but I’m sure I would not have been able to keep it all together for so long, it is a real shame to see the way our great country is going.I hope and pray that when more people read your story it will make them think and who we vote for in the future we need a strong police force that is fully supported by our government and the public.
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Refreshingly honest while being depressingly true. We used to have the most wonderful police force in the world but now that is in the past, eroded by underfunding, disrespect and cynicism. I wholeheartedly endorse your comments and hope they are not ignored as I feel sure the sentiments are shared.
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This is the nature of the contemporary society that a police officer has to wrestle with and delivery a policing service to.
The challenges facing police officers changes in every epoch. Our capacity to respond to these challenges is always racing to adapt to change.
However the basic nature and trust of an effective policing vary very little – policing is a joint enterprise between the community and the police force wherein both interest groups work in partnership to perfect and deliver a full policing to the public.
This contrasts very patently with the fire brigade type of police service which is common place in our society today where the fundamental responsibility of preserving the peace and preventing crime has been abandoned and the basic and primary activity of the police in many instances does not go beyond reacting to events after they have occurred.
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I’m sorry you feel this way. I have nothing but respect for you and the work you are doing. Thank you for your twenty years of service!
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I’m really sorry you’ve been forced into this decision. I was a fireman for 30 years and saw a lot of what you talk about. I see the complete disrespect for policeman & women. My dad was a copper for 30 years he retired in 97, and we thought things had turned bad when he left, but it’s nothing compared to what coppers experienced since. It doesn’t matter what actions you take you will always be wrong. Damned if you do Damned if you don’t.
It’s probably not much comfort but there are still a lot of us out there that just want policeman and women to be allowed to do their job without any interference from politicians or woke fucking officers.
We stand by you mate
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Eloquently scripted. Thank you for this. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your commitment. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Don’t stop.
Keep the faith. Keep the trust. Keep smiling.
I’ve got your back because you have mine.
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How terribly sad that it has come to this. My father was a long serving detective in the RUC and would be appalled at the situation today. There are many other retired police and army in my family and I’ve always had the utmost respect for all services. Sadly your words are so valid and I fear for the future with the shocking changes in our world. Thank you for putting into words how I also feel but am not as eloquent as you.
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“They are all that stands between the monsters and the weak” ” the policeman was the sheep dog protecting the herd from the wolves”
Well society can take credit for the fact that the monsters have taken over and that the wolves are close behind!
I’m a policeman with 30 years service and I’ll protect my own flock in future and let society look after themselves! I aswell as thousands of my colleagues have run in the direction of danger when everyone else was running away! But never again! Society and the general public can go to hell cause it’s what they deserve.
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Wow that was said with heartfelt emotions thank you for speaking out
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WOW !!!!! WELL SAID .Former DC 9165 Crump West Midlands Police.
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I was done in 2018 and so glad. Your comments reflect reality perfectly. The politicians and most of society haven’t got a clue. Good luck for the future 👍
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Just today my wife and I were discussing how bombproof ( and from a very early age) todays youth have become. While accepting, up to a point, the arguments for the abolition of corporal punishment it would be interesting to establish if the “ME ME ME” brigade started gaining traction then. It must also be said that the majority of youngsters do not fall into this category. Coming from a generation which did endure corporal punishment at school and at home ( most merited some not),not to mention the local policeman’s kick up the arse with the added threat of being marched back to your parents for for further chastisement. We were taught to respect our elders and through that came self respect.
It is no wonder the author of the above has given vent to her frustration and anger at every single group and category mentioned. This is not a decision that has ben arrived at lightly or suddenly. Unfortunately the sympathies and frustrations from joe public for the systemic hamstringing of our police force fail to cut any ice with the powers that be for all the afore mentioned reasons, so your long service officers have no option but to bite the bullet, sweat out their time until retirement and pension. UNLESS THEY SNAP!
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I echo every word you say, as a cop of 20 years myself. I was done 3 years ago for all of the same reasons. Its a heartbreaking state of affairs .
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Mate, please God you are real (how ridiculous I have to say that). You have encapsulated everything in that beautiful, pithy, heartfelt essay. I’m recently retired job (Met and female) and my heart breaks for my police family. What a brilliant job it is, and yet always so thankless. What would we do without the armchair critics…..
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Powerful and right in every respect.
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What a shame. A Proper Copper who has had enough of the double standards prevalent in our society.
A REAL LOSS TO THE FORCE. I know people who have left for similar reasons and they were ‘proper coppers’ as well who used to love the job before being forced to become ‘social workers on wheels’ when they were allowed to go after the bad people and defend themselves when some idiot had a go at them!
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Thank you for your service, im ex military working for the police into Dublin.
I can see the same mistakes being here, rainbow police cars, panning to the tiny minority for the sake of the rest.
Fair play mate, sell everything and live in peace
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It was like this in the 80’s,I promise you. You had to tread carefully,at the risk of offending someone….saw the ‘light’ after 5yrs.Yep the money was good,but my sanity was worth more, in the long run 😎😉😛
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