David Porteous looks at a reform agenda for the police and Oliver Russell on the impact of Asperger's syndrome.
Changing Policing: Revolution not Evolution
Michael O'Byrne, Russell House Publishing
£14.95, ISBN 1 903 855 00 4,
Michael O'Byrne is former chief constable of Bedfordshire police and in this book he sets out, from a senior management perspective, what he believes to be the main challenges facing the service as well as his proposals for instituting change.
One of the strengths of the book is its accessibility and clarity when describing the structure and organisation of policing. This makes it a useful reference point for anyone, such as me, who is unfamiliar with such details. It is also refreshingly critical of the politicisation of the police force in the 1980s under Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and in taking on board the charge of institutional racism (as well as sexism and homophobia) identified in the Macpherson report.
The book's title is something of a misnomer; O'Byrne's "revolution" would involve restructuring the force into a smaller number of regions (but only as part of a move toward regional government), enhancing the powers of chief constables and, more radically, introducing fast-tracking of (particularly black and female) high-fliers into senior positions. Not quite a rally to arms then, but a thoughtful and carefully argued reform agenda all the same.
David Porteous is lecturer in applied social studies, University of Luton.
An Asperger Marriage
Gisela and Christopher Slater-Walker, Jessica Kingsley Publishers
£12.95, ISBN 1 84310 0177
Gisela and Chris met at university 11 years ago while they were both studying Russian. Gisela is nine years older than Chris. She was divorced with three children. They set up home together and in due course married and had a child of their own. But their partnership was not all plain sailing. Misunderstandings frequently arose and communication was made difficult by Chris's extreme passivity and his avoidance of eye contact.
Five years ago Gisela was given An Anthropologist on Mars by Oliver Sacks in which there is a description of Temple Grandin, an American academic who has Asperger's syndrome. Gisela instantly recognised that this description matched her husband's behaviour. Chris read the chapter himself and searched the internet for further information. He diagnosed himself with Asperger's syndrome. Gisela then found a psychiatrist who examined Chris and confirmed the diagnosis.
This fascinating book is a joint venture between Gisela and Chris. They have each written frankly of their own perceptions of their marriage and reflect with great sensitivity on the impact which Asperger's syndrome has had on their 12 years of living together. It is likely to be of particular interest to those involved in marital counselling.
Oliver Russell is honorary research fellow, Norah Fry Research Centre.
