This is a really fantastic and insightful book that is perfect for those interested in criminal justice and the effects of corruption within the justice sector. Really interesting and well written.

NetGalley, Chelsea Harper

I really enjoyed this book on the subject of historic corruption within the detective units of Scotland Yard. Having grown up on 70s shows like The Sweeney it was all too easy for me to believe the levels of corruption, even at high ranks. David Woodland writes well on his subject... this is a great read and I highly recommend it.

NetGalley, Carol Elizabeth Keogh

As someone who majored in Criminal Justice in college and loves all things true crime I enjoyed this one. I loved learning more about Scotland Yard the name of Metropolitan police headquarters through it's housed in London not Scotland. I love learning about policing around the world.

NetGalley, Carissa Miller

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is a very good insight into the corruption in the Met police over many years and is definitely worth a read. Today, the shortcomings in modern policing, have much to do with the interference by politicians and the funding cuts leading to lack of morale and officers quitting in droves. I know many fine police officers who do their best under difficult circumstances, at great expense to their mental health and family life. It is indeed the thin blue line.

NetGalley, Martha Brindley

Crime and Corruption at the Yard is a well-written and insightful look about the police career of "old school cop" David Woodland and concentrating on his experiences the corruption and criminality that a sizeable minority of the Metropolitan police were indulging in before Sir Robert Mark's purge of "dirty cops". David Woodland throughout underlines his views on the difference between a bit of rule-bending to help put dangerous criminals behind bars and the blatant law-breaking for personal gain that saw Mark and his team sack,discipline and even jail hundreds of "bent coppers" as he tore through the ranks of the cowboys who'd previously thought themselves invincible.

The really shocking thing about the rampant illegality at Scotland Yard was the high levels it reached and as well as enriching themselves these people were putting the lives of others at risk, other policeman,informants and the general public as information was leaked and blind eye turned for a price.

After Mark things changed somewhat and Mr Woodland bemoans the intake of people fast-tracked to lofty positions in the police while never having actually done any police work, the criminals very obviously guilty except to inept juries blinded by the fancy words of defence lawyers under no illusions as to the nature of their clientele but taking the money anyway and the scales of justice being tipped firmly in the favour of the criminals.

As a fan of Dick Kirby's excellent true crime books,also published by Pen and Sword, I really enjoyed this eye-opening book in the same vein, Mr Kirby is mentioned a few times in this book.
David Woodland tells of the changes in policing and the criminal justice system throughout his police career, for better and (mostly) worse. An entertaining and informative book ,I'd love to hear more of Mr Woodland's stories from his long and eventful career.

NetGalley, Dave Blendell

I have recently researched the beginnings and the corruption at the Yard for a book I am writing, so I was excited to read this book. I wasn't disappointed. A recommended read.

NetGalley, Wendy M Rhodes

I like reading this type of book, about policing with the Metropolitan Police in Great Britain. This book was enjoyable and along the lines of what I have read previously. Woodland shares his stories about going into police work in the mid 1950s. He worked different areas through the years and gained a knack for investigation. Many select cases are revisited, along with his increasing awareness of some inherent corruption among some CID police along the way. Woodland worked his way up to New Scotland Yard as a Detective Inspector. There are many anecdotes about various people, coworkers, superiors, and criminals of all kinds.

NetGalley, Valerie Shampine

As featured on Crime Review!

Crime Review

As you'll gather from the title of his book, David Woodland encountered corruption of, and betrayal by, his colleagues and senior officers and his early retirement followed an attempt to fit him up for misconduct. He has written a bitter account of his experience of the management of both the Met and the criminal justice system. It makes uncomfortable, but riveting reading.

Police History Society Newsletter

David Woodland's hard-hitting book blows the lid off corrupt practices at the Yard during the 1970s. If you're going to buy just one true crime book this year, it'd be a crime if it isn't this one.

Dick Kirby, author and ex Metropolitan Police officer