Turmoil 30 Years of Policing, Politics and Prejudice

An urgent, insider account of power, racism and reform at the heart of British policing. 

In Turmoil, Neil Basu, the first person of colour to serve as Assistant Commissioner in the Met, offers an unflinching look at the structural racism embedded in the UK’s justice system. From the aftermath of Stephen Lawrence’s murder to the London riots, Basu was there for the defining moments of modern policing, and now he’s telling the truth from the inside. 

With clarity, courage and compassion, Basu holds a mirror up to British policing, examining how racism, political interference and systemic injustice have shaped the force from within. This is a powerful contribution to Britain’s ongoing conversation on race, power and the state. Turmoil is essential reading for anyone interested in the realities of institutional racism and social justice in the UK, offering a vital new perspective on how we can move towards true accountability. 

Together, these insights form a compelling case for change, and act as a timely reminder that the work belongs to all of us. 

Neil Basu is a former Met Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police.

He spent 30 years on the force and has made headlines for speaking up about racism not just within the organisation, but on broader governmental and societal rhetoric.

Prologue 
1 Walking the Puppy 
2 Fort Apache – Brixton 
3 Stephen Lawrence 
4 The Ghost Squad – Catching Baddies with Badges 
5 Deaths in Police Custody 
6 Trident 
7 How to Catch a Killer 
8 The Office of Commissioner 
9 London’s Burning 
10 Commander Under Fire 
11 Cowboys and Killers 
12 The Colour of Terrorism 
13 Tackling Terrorists 
14 A Lesson in Humility 
15 ACSO in Salisbury 
16 Long Way Up, Short Way Down 
17 Down but Not Out 
Epilogue 
Acknowledgements

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