Steve PackwoodSteve Packwood grew up in the industrial Midlands of England, moving south to London to become an officer of the Metropolitan Police in 1984. He served in many departments and in many capacities until specialising as one of the British Police's very ew firearms officers, ultimately qualifying as an Armed Protection Officer. There followed several exciting years safeguarding Prime Ministers, including Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, as well as visiting Heads of State. Steve was invited to join the Royalty Protection Group, initially on Prince Charles's team (now King Charles III) and ultimately with H.M. Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and, in Scotland, Balmoral Castle. In 2014, Steve retired from the police relatively sane and reasonably intact after providing "thirty years of exemplary service." Steve has been very happily married to Sue for eleven years and has two daughters from a previous relationship. It was Sue who encouraged him to start writing when he retired, mainly as a creative outlet after so many years of living a disciplined and regimented life but also, he suspects, to keep him from getting under her feet. Steve and Sue are passionate about the theatre and love to travel, having so far ticked off the Far East and the Indian sub-continent as well as most of Europe. But they take special joy in crossing the pond to visit the USA, which they adore. The couple have relatives in Florida and good friends in New York, so these are the most frequent destinations, but they have plans to explore the rest of the country. Steve has an adventurous spirit. As a qualified scuba diver, he has a passion for swimming with sharks, much misunderstood creatures he adores. He has also sky-dived, para-glided, abseiled and bungee jumped. Sue keeps a substantial life insurance policy in her back pocket. Steve considers himself amongst the luckiest of people and loves his life, often exclaiming with a satisfied sigh to anyone who will listen, "Where did it all go so...right!" Read More Read Less
