Carlisle man writes book about experiences as officer in met police

Born in Carlisle in 1948, John Tinnion went to Cumwhinton School before joining Carlisle Grammar School.

His father, Harry Tinnion was a firefighter on the railways and also owned Perkins Fish and Chip Shop in Carlisle.

The book, called 'A Policeman’s Lot', talks about John’s early life in Carlisle and how it prepared him for life in one of the most iconic police forces in the country.

John was a talented sportsman in his youth (Image: John Trinnon)“I wanted to become a physical training instructor in the army originally as I liked the physical side of things,” said John, who was a good sportsman growing up in Carlisle and was nearly selected to represent Great Britain in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics after finishing sixth in the national swimming championships aged just 12.

“But I remember a gym teacher saying that you’re finished by 40 in that job," he said.

“At my school’s careers convention there was a policeman who said I should consider the role.

“My mate also applied to the Met after my next-door neighbour said that if we wanted to join the police, we should join the best force in the world which at the time was the Met police.

“So, me and my mate went down and thought two lads from Carlisle would set London on fire.

"He didn’t get in, but I started as a cadet in 1965.”

The book includes stories from John’s early police days in south-east London, to the excitement of a high-octane life on the motorcycle as well as in fast response cars as a traffic division officer.

“Life on the beat in the late 60s and early 70s was always interesting for me,” said John.

“It was sometimes funny, sometimes terrifying, sometimes boring, sometimes cold and wet, but always interesting in the widest meaning of the word.

“I hope to captivate my readers from the start with a 'down-to-earth' style of 'writing-as-I-speak.'

Despite being based in London, John has plenty of family living in Carlisle and still follows his beloved Carlisle United.

‘A Policeman’s Lot’ by John Tinnion is available on Amazon.

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