abstract
| - __TOC__ PC Roger Valentine first arrives in Sun Hill after a thirteen-year absence from the force. Roger is faithful in the fight to uphold law and order, but he also firmly believes the Met has become too soft and politically correct. His views are usually dismissed by most of his colleagues, and occasionally frowned upon by some. Roger is present amongst many other uniformed officers in policing a gig at the Bombastic night club due to the tensions between Sun Hill police and the black community. Fights break out between the police and clubgoers outside, prompting the decision of Acting Sergeant Yvonne Hemmingway to allow people inside the club. Due to severe overcrowding, an overhead balcony collapses, and several people are crushed to death trying to escape. As Roger and his colleague PC Lewis Hardy stay behind to help firefighters and paramedics with the injured, an overhead lighting rig suddenly breaks loose and falls. Roger manages to push Lewis aside but is knocked to the ground by the scaffolding. Although he physically recovers, Roger is severely traumatised by the event. Eventually he is diagnosed with Post-traumatic stress disorder and is sent on indefinite leave. He spends several months wishing he was dead but is never able to commit suicide. Eventually he is discovered in hospital after a drinking binge. After being discharged, he visits an off-licence, which is under-siege. Roger seizes on the opportunity to die and bars the robber's exit, taunting him to shoot him. The robber complies with his wishes; however the gun malfunctions and backfires on the robber. Roger later breaks down after realising he did not want to die. He is slowly on the road to rehabilitation. Roger has been accused of being a racist a few times by the public. Lewis Hardy's cousin, Dominic, who as a criminal suspect has been interviewed by Roger, tells Lewis he believes Roger is a racist. Lewis then starts to pick up on little things Roger says and threatens him with official complaints on several occasions. After the Bombastic night club incident, when Roger saves Lewis's life by pushing him out of the way of the light rig, Lewis does not follow up on the racism issue. Although he seems to get on with Roger thenceforth, their professional relationship is nevertheless, strained. Roger had a short affair with June Ackland which also leads to hate from Jim Carver who beat him up infront of her which made June regret their affair more... Roger stayed until the final episode in 2010.
|