In this conversation, John Sutherland, a former chief superintendent in the Met and now an author, shares his journey through policing, his reflections on violent crime, and the impact of politics and austerity on law enforcement.

He discusses the importance of addressing domestic violence and knife crime, the crisis of confidence in policing, and the lessons learned from his experience as a hostage negotiator. Sutherland emphasizes the need for a long-term, public health approach to crime and the importance of listening in both policing and society.

They Discussed:

• The sharp decline in public confidence in policing—what’s behind it?
• The lasting impact of austerity—consequences still unfolding
• The role of leadership—failures, challenges, and the path forward
• The art of listening—how poor communication is widening the trust gap
• Increasing politicisation of policing—threats to operational independence
• Rebuilding trust and confidence—both within the force and with the public
• The importance of transparency and accountability in shaping the future

Takeaways

• John Sutherland’s journey into policing began with a moment of inspiration.
• Policing is about making a difference in people’s lives.
• Domestic violence is a significant societal issue that needs urgent attention.
• Knife crime requires a long-term, public health approach to be effectively addressed.
• Politics and policing often lead to short-term solutions that fail to address root causes.
• There is a current crisis of confidence in policing, particularly among marginalized communities.
• Austerity has severely impacted policing and public services, leading to increased crime.
• Listening is a crucial skill in both policing and everyday life.
• Policing should prioritize the most vulnerable in society.
• The lessons from hostage negotiation can be applied to broader societal issues.

Sound Bites

• “It’s about making a difference.”
• “Everything can’t be a priority.”
• “Listening saves lives.”

Details of the event can be found at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepolicefoundation/1523760

Preorder Johns new book here: THE CASTLE: thenew thriller from bestseller John Sutherland

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Biography

John Sutherland is a married father of three, who lives with his wife and family in South London. He joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1992 – serving as an officer for more than 25 years, until his early retirement on medical grounds in 2018.

Having started out as a uniformed PC, responding to emergencies on the streets of inner London, he rose through the ranks to become a highly respected senior officer. His last operational posting was as the Borough Commander for Southwark. He is an experienced Hostage and Crisis Negotiator, having been a member of both the national and international cadres.

Since leaving the Met, John has become an established author. His first book,‘Blue: A Memoir’, was an instant Sunday Times bestseller and his second, ‘Crossing the Line’ was selected as a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week. His first novel, ‘The Siege’ – which introduced readers to the worlds of police negotiators Alex Lewis and Pip Williams – was published by Orion Fiction in June 2022 and shortlisted for the Specsavers Debut Come Novel of the Year. It’s sequel, The Fallen, was published in 2023 to significant critical acclaim and the third book in the series, The Castle, will be released in April 2025.

John is a sought-after public speaker – addressing subjects including leadership, communication and mental health – and a media commentator on matters relating to policing and society. He has appeared regularly on national radio and television and has written for a variety of national newspapers.

You can find him on his website: www.johnsutherlandauthor.co.uk, on Instagram as john_sutherland_author, and X as @policecommander

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction and Background of John Sutherland
07:25 – The Passion for Policing
09:34 – Addressing Violent Crime: Domestic Violence and Knife Crime
17:38 – Politics and Policing: A Complicated Relationship
26:52 – Crisis of Confidence in Policing
38:29 – The Impact of Austerity on Policing
42:23 – Lessons from Hostage Negotiation