A police officer turned author is coming to Congleton.

John Dwyer, the first Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, is hosting a book signing at Congleton Library on Monday (July 7).

His book, Plodding to the Top – The Journey from Police Constable to Police and Crime Commissioner, has received rave reviews since its release earlier this year.

John said: "There has been an outstanding reaction on Amazon, the book was printed in Cheshire by Johnsons of Nantwich and our wonderful county libraries are quickly getting on board.

"All that has happened so far has filled me full of optimism for the future after such an encouraging initial response."

Plodding to the Top (Credit: John Dwyer/Zeon Publishing)

During John's time in the police service he organised teams of officers dealing with serious criminals, race riots, motor prix safety, police aviation and the ultra-violent miners' strike of the mid-1980s.

All this and much more, including protecting royalty when a member of Special Branch, is described as John reveals the secrets and dramas of his 30-year career.

One of many fascinating insights reveals the previously untold story of how John was a key player in helping Prime Minister Tony Blair and Home Secretary Jack Straw end the fuel price protests crisis of 2000.

There's also plenty of humour in the book. For instance, John once arrested a burglar but only after saving his life, having discovered him lying low in a freezer which had locked shut.

The non-stop action – he survived instances of life-threatening violence – began after quitting accountancy against his family's wishes. They forecast unanimously he would not last six months as a police officer.

Over three decades later the same man was praised in parliament by another Home Secretary, Theresa May, for his excellent work as Cheshire's first Police and Crime Commissioner, shortly before she became Prime Minister in 2016.

Former PCC John Dwyer is hosting a book signing at Congleton Library (Credit: Tim Taylor)

The book signing at Congleton Library starts at 10.30am on Monday and is free to attend.

John will deliver a short presentation, followed by a few anecdotes from the book and a Q&A.