The Sergeant posted the officers to their beats and patrols, handing Sandi a copy of a message. "Go see Mrs Delaney at that address. Sort her out, there's a good girl," he said. She read the message. Mrs Delaney was an elderly lady who was allegedly suffering from dementia. Police would receive an average of eight calls a week from her, and each time it involved little green men or strange animals. "Sarge, she's a nutter " she complained. "She has a problem, go see her and make sure it's only in her mind. Assume nothing." What was it really like policing the East End of London in the 1970s?What was it like for those women who now had parity (on paper) with their male colleagues and so were expected to do the same 'job' - just like the men?How tough was it to exist in what was a Man's World up until the beginning of that decade?The 1970s was a time of great change. Sir Robert Mark was the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and took it as a personal crusade to stamp out corruption within the ranks.The pay had yet to be reviewed and brought into line with other professions, so there was a huge drain of men and women seeking better remuneration for less risk on a daily basis.'Best Practice' was not yet a phrase used in earnest by employers, especially within a police force that paid poorly and expected long hours and great commitment from those employed to protect the Metropolis. It was hardly surprising that there were a few who sought to improve their financial lot but unauthorised means.Indeed, some practices were simply bad at best and borderline criminal at worst. Attitudes and values had to be urgently reshaped, not by those who had worked their way up within the existing system, but by those now joining and preparing to be tomorrow's commanders.Sandi Arnold was just one such young woman who faced the automatic stereotype that - 'all police women are lesbians' or 'all police women can't do the job properly'.She is thrown into the deep end and expected not just to swim, but to swim as well as the men, if not better. Women often had to work twice as hard just to be accepted.Join her on her journey along with a host of characters - some good, some bad and some simply hilarious. Watch as she deals with dead bodies, fleeing flashers and little old ladies being plagued by 'little green men'.Laugh with her at some of the silliest situations, cry with her when the man she loves is the victim of a terrorist attack and is feared dead. Share her frustrations and her successes. Most of all, try to understand how things were.In the days before political correctness, the language is earthy and understandable, but above all, it is as real as it can be. This is a work of fiction, but in name only
