Sarah Tanner

"Sometimes you act like a pair of petulant little shits."

- Sarah to Bishop and Pike

Sarah Tanner is a senior NCA Detective and the lead of the team Bishop and Pike are assigned to.

Throughout Bulletproof Series
In Episode 1, Tanner arrives at the crime scene following the death of Sabine by hit-and-run. Tanner questions Sabine's usefulness to the NCA, warning Pike and Bishop to be less sentimental over a witness.

After unveiling information about the gang stealing cars, and responsible for Sabine's death, Tanner informs the rest of her team. She hands control to Bishop to detail the plan for catching the gang, however, the live feed from Nell is cut as the gang discover them — Tanner orders that her team get to the warehouse as soon as possible to stop the gang leaving the country.

In Episode 2, Tanner reviews what happened at the safety deposit building, admitting that it could've been a lot worse for Nell and Munroe had things gone a little differently. Not long after, Tanner manages to track find and track a call of the dead man's phone, leading Pike and Bishop to an abandoned warehouse.

In Episode 3, Tanner reveals to Pike and Bishop that they have been taken off the Sharp case after his death, more than likely because they let Sharp get killed.

Pike asks Tanner to clear him to see Barton in prison, however, she refuses. Pike remarks that if their friendship means anything to her that she will clear him by the time he gets to the prison. When he arrives, he is first not cleared, but after checking again, he finds that he has been cleared. When he arrives back at the NCA office, Tanner warns him not to pull anything like that again.

In Episode 4, Tanner reveals to Pike and Bishop that it was the Director General who took them off the Sharp case. She instructs the team to focus on uncovering a drug smuggling ring and forget about the Sharp case as they are in need of a win.

In Episode 5, Tanner questions Aaron and Pike on what they plan to do about Bakur; in the meantime, she reveals that she will move Pike and his family to a safehouse, where they will be under NCA supervision at all times. Later, when Gazim will not talk, Tanner authorises Bishop to do whatever is necessary to get information, including assault. At the end of the episode, Pike hands his NCA badge to Tanner, which upsets her.

In Episode 6, Tanner reveals to Bishop and Pike that running diagnostics on his father’s phone came back with a dead end. Pike shows Tanner the case file on his father, revealing what they have learned from Graham — Tanner seems hesitant to believe this, however, is dumbfounded to find out it is the truth. Tanner reveals she knew someone who worked for Pike Sr a while ago and will try and find him.

Taking the boys to see one of her old mentors, they are able to get information about Pike Sr and his involvement with Black Heart. She receives a phone call that Ray has been stabbed in prison, sending Pike and Bishop to prevent his transportation to the hospital.

Money troubles
Tanner begins experiencing money troubles when her father’s condition begins to rapidly deteriorate and she is handed a £7,900 bill for the retirement home. Tanner seems worried that she cannot afford to continue the treatment he is receiving, but sees an opportunity when the NCA seize £1,000,000 from the Markides empire. After the money is returned to Mikey — in a plot she is at first reluctant to approve — it is revealed that the bag is £10,000 short; Mikey believes it could’ve slipped out when they were leaving the lock-up. It is later revealed that Tanner took the money and is hiding it in her locker at the NCA.

Tanner later feels guilty for the stolen money and tries to pursue a raise, she is told that they are delt with annually, and by another department, however when she approaches Richard. Later, she is pulled into Richard’s office as he warns her about going behind his back again — despite this, she remarks that she has friends in high places and felt she could get the operation approved faster. Richard warns her not to do this again or her pay rise request could be denied.

Later, Cockridge brings concerns to Tanner about errors in the finance report Bishop submitted regarding the Markides case. He reveals that there is a £10,000 discrepancy and asks if she thinks that Bishop would steal from the NCA like that. Tanner becomes increasingly agitated — having stolen the money herself — but tells Richard not to jump to conclusions given Bishop’s exemplary record.

Fearing that Bishop will suffer for something he didn’t do, Tanner turns herself in and tells Cockridge that she was the one who took the money. Cockridge dismisses the claims initially, believing her to be covering for Bishop, but has no choice but to take her badge when she hands back the money; she is suspended from duty immediately and Richard takes over as tactical commander.

Markides’ victory
Bishop and the team quickly lose faith in Richard and his ability to capture the Markides and turn to Tanner for help. Tanner explains the money situation to Bishop and the two agree to never keep secrets from one another. They further agree to take down the Markides behind the NCA’s backs using Tanner’s well-established contacts.

Unbeknownst to them, Cockridge has gotten wind of the situation and shuts it down much to Tanner’s disapproval. He tries to lead the team himself but realises he has made a grave mistake when one of the officers is killed in active duty on his watch. He hands back the case to Tanner and tells her that he didn’t tell anyone about the money, nor was he going to.

Back at the helm, Tanner is able to lead the NCA to a victory in capturing Alex, but is unsuccessful in capturing Mikey who is shot after shooting at Bishop. Despite her pleas, Tanner witnesses as Eleanor shoots herself with Mikey’s gun.

Trivia

 * She had a dog in her office, however, Ronald Pike Sr made her give him up.
 * Tanner begins to experience money troubles following placing her father into residential care.