Garry Rogers - Undercover Policing and the Corrupt Secret Society Within

In a room where people unanimously maintain a conspiracy of silence, one word of truth sounds like a pistol shot.

Czesaw Miosz, Author & Poet

GARRY ROGERS & KEITH POTTER

First published in Great Britain in 2020 by

Pen & Sword True Crime

An imprint of

Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Yorkshire Philadelphia

Copyright Garry Rogers & Keith Potter 2020

ISBN 978 1 52677 539 9

ePUB ISBN 978 1 5267 7540 5

Mobi ISBN 978 1 5267 7541 2

The right of Garry Rogers & Keith Potter to be identified as Authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

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T his book focuses on the life and career of Garry Rogers: a remarkable man, and a former police officer of exemplary public service. It also highlights the discreditable conduct of Greater Manchester Police and a number of that forces senior and chief officers.

I joined Lincolnshire Police as a probationary constable in 1974. Had I known Constable Rogers at the time, I would have looked up to him as a role model. He was the type and character of police officer that I wished to become.

When a person is appointed to the office of constable they become something different to the norm. The role is much more than an occupation; they are not an employee, they are a servant of the Crown, and all police officers hold that office irrespective of rank. Public expectation of police officers is extraordinarily high in terms of honesty, dedication, leadership and that exceptional ability to be all things to all people, depending entirely upon the circumstances pertaining: from crime through public disorder to life and death and so forth. That public expectation is probably higher than for any other role in the UK.

The public reward in real terms for this vocation is to be set aside as a group in society. When police officers say (or admit) what work they do to ordinary people, they are immediately viewed as someone to be regarded with care, somebody different. To know what that is really like, ask the family of a police officer, especially their children. Imagine what it is like to be at school when one (or both) of your parents is a police officer.

All police officers vary in their approach to the policing role. Some are more different than others. A few come to view their role as little more than a job to be endured; they become uniform carriers. Some become disillusioned, often through the attitude of the public, politicians or their bosses, and their performance is affected accordingly. Other officers thrive in the role as if they were born to the vocation. Garry Rogers was one such police officer.

I was a city Shift Inspector in 1986 and my group encompassed the whole spectrum of police officer types. I would have given my eye teeth to have an officer of Garrys calibre working with me. Of the small number of officers who I would describe as excellent, Garry would have stood out as the best of the best, an officer who would not be afraid to get stuck in, no matter how difficult the situation; an officer who could be relied upon to act not only on his own initiative, but to make the right decisions when required.

I first met Garry on 15 August 1997, when I was a Chief Superintendent seconded to Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary. By then his role as an undercover officer for Greater Manchester Police was over, and he was suffering badly from the incompetence and wilfulness of senior and chief officers within that force. This was the annual inspection of Greater Manchester Police by HM Inspectorate. All police officers and police employees have the right to ask for an interview during the annual inspection. Garry and I met in the empty force canteen. His was a frank and sincere account of personal strengths and corporate difficulties. Most officers who request an interview have a grumble to make of varying robustness in respect of their force. Garrys position was very different. I quickly grew to respect him, to admire his professionalism, and to like him. He had a fully justified case against Greater Manchester Police. That case, its supporting circumstances and his remarkable police career are fully explained in this book.

It was for his work as an undercover officer that Garry finally received the recognition he richly deserved. On my return to Lincolnshire Police in 2000 I was involved in the recruitment and management of undercover officers in the East Midlands Region. Only the best are accepted, and not all of those selected make the final grade. I cannot emphasize the skills required and the risks involved. Undercover officers seriously risk everything, not only professionally but themselves, their family, their career and, sometimes, life itself.

Undercover officers know or come to realize rapidly that theirs is a lonely role. They walk a tightrope. Worst of all, they know that things can go wrong very, very easily: a chance remark, an unfortunate coincidence, a bad turn of events, most of which are well out of their sphere of control. Above all else, undercover officers should be able to trust that their bosses will fully support them in such a dangerous task. Unfortunately, at the back of their minds, undercover officers always suspect that when push comes to shove their senior officers might prove to be unreliable, especially if a career is perceived to be at risk. The same applies to public opinion, always influenced by the press and minority groups, often fickle, slow to congratulate success, and always quick to vilify.

For a fascinating insight into the world of undercover policing and the workings of a major police force, this is the book to read. As you progress through the pages you will soon appreciate how exceptional Garrys police career was. You will also come to understand how badly he was treated by Greater Manchester Police and some of its senior and chief officers. All should have known better. Additionally, as you read the book please be mindful of the considerable impact upon Garrys wife and family. Garrys wellbeing suffered badly as a result of the events but, almost equally, so did theirs. Although it was Garry who rightly received the highest award for his work, in my opinion that honour was awarded not only to him but also to his wife and family. It was fully deserved in each case.