A memoir by a former elite Australian police officer has been withdrawn from circulation due to doubts surrounding its accuracy.
Recounting the Special Operations Group: Unraveling the Truth
The book titled “Special Operations Group” was published two weeks ago, chronicling the experiences of Christophe Glasl during his time as a member of the force. It delved into gripping accounts of murders, drug busts, and the response to the Port Arthur massacre, which remains Australia’s most devastating mass shooting.
Victoria Police Raises Doubts
However, Victoria Police has come forward, refuting Mr. Glasl’s claims. They state that he was not present at the Port Arthur incident and have cast suspicions on his version of other events detailed in the memoir.
Unanswered Allegations
Despite the allegations, Mr. Glasl, a self-employed author according to his LinkedIn profile, has yet to respond to the mounting criticisms. Requests for comments on the matter have been made to him.
Book Withdrawn: An Inaccurate Account
In light of the unfolding situation, publisher Hachette Australia has decided to immediately withdraw the book from sale. They acknowledged that certain content within the memoir has been deemed “inaccurate.” A spokesperson from Hachette stated, “We have taken the decision to withdraw this book from sale immediately while we undertake further review.”
Removal of Book Mentions
As a consequence of their decision, Hachette has also eliminated any mention of the book from their website. The previous promotion, which described the memoir as a “raw, behind-the-scenes look” into the inner workings of the Special Operations Group (SOG), has been taken down.
Victoria Police Expresses Concerns
Victoria Police, where Mr. Glasl claims to have served for 16 years, expressed their concerns about the accuracy of the book. They specifically highlighted doubts surrounding the incidents Mr. Glasl stated he attended. Of particular interest was a chapter that focused on his alleged involvement in resolving the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania.
The Port Arthur Massacre: A Troubling Discrepancy
The Port Arthur massacre, which occurred in April 1996, resulted in the deaths of 35 individuals when gunman Martin Bryant opened fire at a former penal colony and tourist attraction. The tragic event served as a catalyst for significant changes in Australia’s gun control laws.
Victoria Police’s Statement
According to The Australian newspaper, Mr. Glasl informed his publishers that he was not in Tasmania on the day of the massacre and intended his account to be third-hand information. However, Victoria Police released a statement disputing this, stating that only 10 members of the Victorian SOG were deployed to Tasmania that day.
The police spokesperson clarified, “To confirm, the former member was not part of the SOG deployment to Port Arthur nor was he even in Tasmania at the time.”
As the controversy surrounding the memoir continues to unfold, questions regarding its accuracy and the author’s credibility persist. The future of the book remains uncertain, pending further investigation and review by relevant authorities.
- Former Elite Australian Police Officer’s Memoir Pulled from Sale Amid Accuracy Concerns
- Recounting the Special Operations Group: Unraveling the Truth
- Victoria Police Raises Doubts
- Unanswered Allegations
- Book Withdrawn: An Inaccurate Account
- Removal of Book Mentions
- Victoria Police Expresses Concerns
- The Port Arthur Massacre: A Troubling Discrepancy
- Victoria Police’s Statement