Ex-copper's tales are not for the squeamish!

A retired police inspector is to recount tales of life in the force at a fascinating illustrated talk.
The cover slide for Norman Kirtlan's forthcoming talk about his time in the police.The cover slide for Norman Kirtlan's forthcoming talk about his time in the police.
The cover slide for Norman Kirtlan's forthcoming talk about his time in the police.

The talk, entitled Dead Bodies and Dark Places, will be given by ex-police officer, author and Sunderland Antiquarian Society member Norman Kirtlan. It looks back at his long career of policing in the Sunderland area.

Norman, from Southwick, retired from the police in 2006 after 31 years in the service. But he later worked as a forensic reconstruction artist, helping to capture a number of very dangerous criminals and solve a string of serious crimes.

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The talk, subtitled The Memoirs of a Bitter and Disgruntled Old Polis, is not for the squeamish. It contains some shocking and gruesome tales, although others are very funny. Some anecdotes about dealing with drunks in Sunderland city centre are expected to prove popular.

Norman Kirtlan, seen here at work in the 1990s.Norman Kirtlan, seen here at work in the 1990s.
Norman Kirtlan, seen here at work in the 1990s.

Norman’s books include Fetch the Black Mariah and History of Fulwell.

He said: “When people ring 999 in an emergency, an officer knows the they are not going to be invited to a cocktail party.

“It is invariably because some awful tragedy or violent incident has befallen the caller and that puts an officer in direct contact with people at their most vulnerable.

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“Some of the incidents that one deals with stay in the mind forever.”

The talk takes place in the main hall at Thornhill School, Thornhome Road at 7.30pm on Tuesday, December 17. Admission is £1 to members, or £2 for visitors. It lasts for about an hour. Visit www.sunderland-antiquarians.org

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