A former police officer wrote about attending the Port Arthur massacre. He wasn't even in the state.

Former police officer Christophe Glasl has written a memoir about his time as a member of Victoria Police's Special Operations Group (SOG).

Before the book's release on June 28, publisher Hachette described it as "Chris’s story of his life in the SOG – where solidarity, camaraderie and loyalties were undermined by bullying, bastardisation, drug use, lies and betrayal. 

"It is a raw, behind-the-scenes look at what went on at the SOG, and a gripping account of major jobs he attended: fatal shootings, a triple murder, a 100-million-dollar drug bust and the Port Arthur massacre, to name just a few."

But this week, Special Operations Group has been pulled from sales after police questioned its accuracy.

In a statement issued on Monday, Victoria Police said they were aware of the book but were concerned over claims made about the 1996 mass shooting.

"We have concerns about the accuracy of the book including some of the author’s claims about jobs he attended," a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

"Of particular concern is chapter 18 which focuses on the author’s claimed involvement in the resolution of the Port Arthur massacre. 

"To confirm, the former member was not part of the SOG deployment to Port Arthur nor was he even in Tasmania at the time."

Image: Amazon.

The spokesperson told The Age there were only 10 SOG members involved in the resolution at Port Arthur and Glasl was not one of them.

They also said that there were concerns over other stories written in the book.

According to Victoria Police, they were only contacted in April 2023, when Hachette requested permission to use a photograph in the book. 

There was never any fact-checking done.

The book has since been removed from Hachette's website. (However, is still available to purchase at the time of writing.)

"It has come to our attention that some of the content of the book, Special Operations Group by Christophe Glasl, is inaccurate," a Hachette spokesperson said.

"We have taken the decision to withdraw this book from sale immediately while we undertake further review."

In excerpts from the book, Glasl reportedly describes the events of the Port Arthur massacre and how the police eventually captured Bryant.

He details their movements and the moment "the boys hit him hard during the arrest".

According to his author biography, Glasl was with the Victoria Police for 16 years and a part of the Special Operations Group (SOG) for four.

He is now retired from the force and living in Melbourne. 

Mamamia has reached out to Christophe Glasl for comment. 

Feature image: Amazon/Getty.