Category Archives: MELBOURNE, Australia

Special Operations Group: Christophe Glasl Returns with the Unflinching Memoir of Life Inside Australia’s Elite Police Unit

MELBOURNE, Australia, Sept. 2, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — After years of silence, former Victoria Police officer Christophe Glasl is reclaiming his story. His memoir, “Special Operations Group” (ISBN: 978-1998482726; paperback), is once again available to readers, offering a raw, unfiltered look inside one of Australia’s most secretive and dangerous law enforcement units.

BOOK: 'Special Operations Group' by Christophe Glasl
Image caption: Cover, “Special Operations Group” by Christophe Glasl.

When “Special Operations Group” was first released by Hachette, it drew immediate attention, not only for its explosive content but also for the controversy it sparked. Police publicly challenged parts of Glasl’s story, and the publisher pulled the book from sale.

Glasl, however, has never wavered in his position. With full ownership of his work, he is determined to ensure that the truth is heard, and the book is now available for readers to purchase.

“This book is about truth, my truth,” says Glasl. “It was never written out of revenge. It was written to shed light on what really goes on inside the Special Operations Group and to reveal the personal toll of serving in that world. Institutions can push back, but the lived experience of those on the inside cannot be erased.”

Glasl joined Victoria Police at 19 with a singular ambition: to earn a place in the Special Operations Group (SOG). After enduring one of the most brutal selection processes in Australian policing, he entered a career defined by high-stakes operations including hostage rescues, counter-terrorism, drug busts worth hundreds of millions, and some of the darkest days in modern Australian history.

But “Special Operations Group” is more than a catalogue of missions. It is an insider’s revelation of a unit plagued by bullying, toxic culture, and immense psychological strain. Glasl writes candidly about the trauma of the job, the pressure to remain silent, and his own struggle with drug use as a desperate escape. His book exposes both the thrill and the devastating cost of serving in the SOG, a story few in power wanted told.

“Readers expect tales of heroics and headlines,” Glasl reflects. “What I wanted to give them is honesty. Behind the armour and tactics are men who carry scars, both physical and psychological. This book is about acknowledging that, and hopefully giving others the courage to speak out and seek help.”

Equal parts gripping frontline action and deeply human storytelling, “Special Operations Group” offers a rare inside perspective on what it takes to serve, survive, and eventually heal.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christophe Glasl joined Victoria Police at nineteen and went on to serve in the Special Operations Group during the 1990s, taking part in some of Australia’s most high-risk operations. Today, he shares his story with honesty and humility, advocating for greater awareness of the mental health struggles faced by frontline officers. He continues to live a life grounded in fitness, gratitude, and resilience.

Title: “Special Operations Group”

Author: Christophe Glasl

Genre: Memoir / True Crime / Law Enforcement

Release Date: Available Now

Paperback ISBN: 9781998482726

eBook ISBN: 9781998482733

ASIN: B0DCZKSF7SI

Purchase Links:

Amazon Australia – https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1998482723

Amazon US – https://a.co/d/fLxdjdY

NEWS SOURCE: Author Christophe Glasl


This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Author Christophe Glasl), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/special-operations-group-christophe-glasl-returns-with-the-unflinching-memoir-of-life-inside-australias-elite-police-unit/

Copr. © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, Calif., USA. -- REF: S2P STORY ID: S2P129015 NOREL-3B

 

New Book ‘Disability Crossroads’ Offers Blueprint for Transforming Disability Services

MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 8, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Drawing from three decades of frontline experience and scholarly research, Ron Tiffen’s groundbreaking new book “Disability Crossroads” (ISBN: 978-0228892915) presents innovative solutions for the challenges facing Australia’s disability sector. This timely work arrives as stakeholders call for renewed confidence in the system and meaningful reform.

DISABILITY CROSSROADS by Ron Tiffen
Image caption: “Disability Crossroads” by Ron Tiffen.

“Disability Crossroads” combines practical strategies with deep insights gained from Ron’s diverse career as a senior service manager, public guardian, researcher, and investigator. The book introduces three transformative frameworks: a collaborative model for family-provider partnerships, systematic approaches to protecting vulnerable individuals, and proven methods for dispute resolution.

What sets this work apart is its foundation in real experiences. Every strategy and recommendation emerges from extensive consultation with people with disabilities, their families, and service providers. The book offers concrete solutions that have been tested and refined through Ron’s pioneering work in Alternative Dispute Resolution.

“The disability sector stands at a critical juncture,” says Ron. “While recent reforms have delivered significant benefits, we must address current challenges through engagement-based cooperative effort. This book provides practical tools for creating positive change.”

Ron’s expertise stems from a distinguished career spanning child protection, policy development, and executive leadership in human services. As Regional Director of the Department of Human Services, he oversaw operations across disability services, mental health, public housing, and indigenous services, giving him unique insight into system-wide challenges and opportunities.

“Disability Crossroads” serves as an essential reference for:

  • Disability service providers seeking to enhance their operations
  • Policy makers working to strengthen support systems
  • Advocates focused on protecting vulnerable individuals
  • Families navigating disability services
  • Organizations looking to implement effective dispute resolution practices

The book’s frameworks and strategies have applications beyond the disability sector and offer valuable insights for human services reform globally.

Ron brings over 30 years of experience in human services, with particular expertise in Alternative Dispute Resolution and service improvement. His innovative approaches to complex problem-solving have revolutionized practices across the disability sector, leading to measurable improvements in service delivery and outcomes for people with disabilities.

“Disability Crossroads” is available at https://rontiffen.com/ and most online retailers.

BOOK SUMMARY:

Title: Disability Crossroads

Author: Ron Tiffen

Email: rontiffen[@]bigpond.com

Website: https://www.rontiffen.com/

Buy Link: https://amazon.com.au/dp/0228892910

Genre: Reference / Psychology / Mental Health

Released: January 31, 2024

Paperback: ISBN-13: 9780228892915

Hardcover: ISBN-13: 9780228892908

Ebook: ISBN-13: 9780228892892

Publisher: Tellwell ( https://www.tellwell.ca/ )

NEWS SOURCE: Author Ron Tiffen


This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Author Ron Tiffen), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/new-book-disability-crossroads-offers-blueprint-for-transforming-disability-services/

Copr. © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, Calif., USA. -- REF: S2P STORY ID: S2P123214 NOREL-3B

 

The Red Horse Rides Again: Simon Chop Reveals South Sudan’s Dark History in His New Book

MELBOURNE, Australia, Dec. 11, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In his powerful new book, “The Red Horse of the Apocalypse: The Spirit of Violence, Revenge, and Conquest” (ISBN: 978-0228846253; Nov. 25, 2024), Simon Chop uncovers the tragic and violent power struggles that have plagued South Sudan, offering an eye-opening exploration of the world’s youngest nation. Through a compelling narrative, Chop examines how the forces of violence, tribalism, and revenge have shaped South Sudan’s history, from its long fight for independence to the catastrophic civil war that followed.

The Red Horse of the Apocalypse by Simon Chop
Image caption: Cover, “The Red Horse of the Apocalypse: The Spirit of Violence, Revenge, and Conquest” by Simon Chop.

The red horse of the apocalypse, symbolising bloodshed and destruction, serves as a central motif throughout the book. It reflects the violence that has plagued South Sudan since its struggle for freedom under the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army. While independence initially brought hope, internal divisions quickly led to war and the nation’s fragile peace disintegration.

Chop’s experiences as a refugee offer a unique lens through which to view the conflict. Born in rural South Sudan, Chop was one of the first in his village to receive an education despite limited access to schooling. After fleeing his home due to the war, he spent years in refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya before eventually settling in Australia. His journey, combined with his academic background in Social Justice and International Relations, informs his understanding of the political and social forces at play in South Sudan’s tragic history.

In this book, Chop also tells the stories of the Nuer people, whose struggles and resilience amid war and displacement are central to understanding the region’s broader crisis. “The Red Horse of the Apocalypse” offers a sobering look at the human cost of political ambition, revenge, and the forces that tear nations apart.

BOOK SUMMARY

Title: “The Red Horse of the Apocalypse: The Spirit of Violence, Revenge, and Conquest”

Author: Simon Chop

Author website: https://simonchop.com/

Buy Link: https://amazon.com.au/dp/0228846250

Release Date: November 25, 2024

Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Political History

Paperback: 9780228846253

Hardcover: 9780228846260

Ebook: 9780228846277

Publisher: Tellwell Publishing ( https://tellwell.ca/ )

NEWS SOURCE: Author Simon Chop


This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Author Simon Chop), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/the-red-horse-rides-again-simon-chop-reveals-south-sudans-dark-history-in-his-new-book/

Copr. © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, Calif., USA. -- REF: S2P STORY ID: S2P122770 NOREL-3B