Bent coppers - James Morton

Tracing back to the earliest years of the police force in Britain, this book shows how opportunities for corruption have always existed, whether the temptation be money, the fabrication of evidence or the maltreatment of suspects. Controversial cases in recent years, such as the Guildford Four, the Birmingham Six and Broadwater Farm, have tarnished the force's reputation and resulted in the reluctance of juries to convict on police evidence alone. This survey of corruption, in particular within the Metropolitan Police, provides an assessment of the opportunities open to officers, and discusses the role played by some lawyers, magistrates and judges. James Morton, who for 25 years was a solicitor involved primarily in defence work, was a co-author of Nipper , the story of the man who brought the Krays to justice, and also wrote Gangland , a study of London's underworld.