Closing Ranks: My Life as a Cop: As Portrayed on SMALL AXE, A Collection of Five Films

by Leroy Logan, Steve McQueen (Foreword)

Closing Ranks tells of an illustrious career, giving a behind the scenes look at the workings of the Metropolitan Police. One of the founder members of the Black Police Association Charitable Trust, Leroy Logan has had first-hand experience of race relations in modern-day Britain, and he relates how his strong Christian faith helped him persevere in a frequently hostile work environment. Offering encouragement to other black officers to stay on and work to change the culture within the police, Leroy’s passion for good policing shines through . . . as does his touching concern to guide and empower young people.

‘I was amazed and intrigued by the way Leroy had stood his ground and progressed within the Metropolitan Police against so many obstacles: hostility, outright racism and being repeatedly overlooked for promotion.’
Steve McQueen, from the Foreword

‘This is a story that needs telling.’
Patrick Regan OBE, Kintsugi Hope

Genres: Police, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published September 17, 2020

Reviews

[Odette Lattimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I would really enjoy reading this from the first few pages.
A 30yr career in the Met Police described by a true arsenal fan and one of the founder members of the Black Police Association Charitable Trust Leroy Logan.
You can feel has passion, his determination and how underneath he just wanted to help and mentor people.
Leroy made me truly believe that now more than ever we may be able to change the culture surrounding the Police.

Highly recommend this book.

[Beverley Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A difficult but worthwhile read. The subject matter is challenging as Leroy shares his personal experiences around the shocking violent deaths of young people. He recognised there is no quick fix to remedy this but he remains committed even after retiring from the police.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terribly aggrieved that such a powerful story (biography) was limited in scope and impact due to the authors decision to write for a broad audience.

Logan had absolute authority over his narrative and as such I went with the impression that the novel was going to highlight completed actions that tackled the systemic racism that Logan - and other ethnic minority officers and communities - suffered from during his 30yrs as a law enforcement officer. Instead the biography provided a choppy and scattered timeline focusing on some key aspects of Logan’s life that, while inspiring to some, fail to provide guidance to individuals currently looking to implement positive change.

- significant lack of details about programs and community engagement strategies leads me to believe that Logan focused entirely too much on broad based policy application; failing to tailor community needs to program deliverables.
- choppy and relatively unorganized, Logan reminds us while there are professional biographers.

+ aspects of a nice truly highlight the nature of what it was to be an African-Caribbean police officer in the UK.

My recommendation is for interested readers to skip the book and go straight to Amazon’s Prime “Red, White, and Blue” starring John Boyega.

[Russio · Rating 3 out of 5]

An impressive man but this autobiography of the ground-breaking police officer has a few moments where it claims rightness where the truth maybe somewhere more nuanced. For example, the attempts of Hackney's press to challenge the street mission on the homophobia of its American sister organisation seems like a reasonable challenge to me, rather than an attempt to nullify the positive aspects of the programme. Instead, Logan digs in. A shame, as it threatens to overshadow some of the great work the man has done, where conceding a little might have made him much more impressive,

[Alain Babineau]

I just finally finished your book (audio book version) I loved every minute of it! Thanks for sharing your life and career with us. You also make a compelling case for diversity and the benefits of affinity policing. Historically, every time Afro descendants have made strides regardless of the field of endeavour, it has been met with resistance and backlash at every turn. Your persistence shows the way yo others. Your legacy is splendid!

[Graham and Alison Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

An encouraging autobiography that gives an insight into the strength, faith and determination of a godly man and the ongoing issues of race and modern policing. I guess I expected a history of the police and race relations in the twentieth century but I Mr Logan provided a really insightful read.

[Anna Karsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read and a great insight into the life of a police officer. However reveals how much the Met is in need of a complete overhaul and revolution.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book a bit hard going. I had watched The Small Axe adaptation of Leroy Logan’s service in The Met which is why I bought the book.

[Stuart West · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational story of Leroy Logan. And best photo caption ever (#3).