Gary Willis

The journey of creating this book from a dream to reality started over 25 years ago.

In 2000, my ex-wife, Gina had just finished filming a movie starring Matt Rhys. We invited Matt back to our home for dinner, and after sharing my firearm’s experiences with him he said I should write a book, and it would make a gripping TV Series.

Well, life took over, and I did not have the time back then. I retired in 2021 and after taking a much-needed rest and setting up my own business interests I put pen to paper in 2022, with encouragement from my then girlfriend Maxine. She introduced me to her lifelong friend, my amazing co-writer, Gareth, and our partnership was born.

We worked on the TV Series first and we have written three seasons, which translates into eighteen hours of drama. We teamed up with Richard Bradley from Lion TV, part of All3 Media to develop the series, along with the formidable Cambridge Jones, known to his friends simply as CJ. TV Series takes years to develop, so it was an easy decision to put pen to paper and create the book.

Success is very seldom a solo journey and behind every success there is a Team of people. None of this would have been possible without them, far too many to mention, but you know who you are and you know how grateful I am.

I had very humble beginnings born and brought up in a small Cotswold village. I am an only child and when my father died when I was twelve my world shook to its core. I could have gone off the rails if it were not for my cousin, Reuben. 11 years my senior and a serving police officer in Gloucestershire. He was my role model, my inspiration, I idolised him and wanted to be him. So, when I passed the entrance exam for the Police I had a choice. I could Police locally or go to London and join the Met. Reuben advised me to go to London. To this day it has been the best advice I have ever received, which has shaped my entire life.

To my ex-wife Gina. An amazing actress, singer and most importantly mother to our two incredible sons, Joe and Max. Gina had to deal with the stress that came with being a wife of a Police Officer and one who carried a gun. She had to put up with more than anyone should have to deal with. Marriages do not always survive and sadly ours did not. We remain friends and I want to thank her for her amazing support over our 14 years we had together.

To my amazing sons, Joe, and Max. My WHY. Both talented actors and musicians carving their own life path. I am beyond proud of you both.

This book, the first in a series of three books, will align with the TV series, I have enjoyed the entire process immensely and this would not have been possible without having served in the Metropolitan Police for 30 years. It was an honour and a privilege; I loved being in the “JOB”

I am still subject to the official secrets act, so I have been incredibly careful to not breach any regulations or compromise any tactics. What you will read is about incidents I experienced, the characters I worked with and those I encountered, on the other side of the fence. The impact of doing our job, protecting the city and the people of London.

What I hope we have created is an insight to a world very few Police Officers ever experience, or know about, let alone members of the public.

SO19, SC019, MO19, rebranding over countless years. What does not change is we are “19” and we answer to our call sign. TROJAN.

I hope you enjoy it.