Blue on Blue

An Insider's Story of Good Cops Catching Bad Cops

By: Charles Campisi, Gordon L. Dillow, Charles Campisi - introduction

Narrated by: Danny Campbell

In one of the most illuminating portraits of police work ever, Chief Charles Campisi describes the inner workings of the world’s largest police force and his unprecedented career putting bad cops behind bars. “Compelling, educational, memorable…this superb memoir can be read for its sheer entertainment or as a primer on police work—or both” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).

From 1996 to 2014 Charles Campisi headed NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau, working under four police commissioners and gaining a reputation as hard-nosed and incorruptible. During Campisi’s IAB tenure, the number of New Yorkers shot, wounded, or killed by cops every year declined by ninety percent, and the number of cops failing integrity tests shrank to an equally startling low. But to achieve those exemplary results, Campisi had to triple IAB’s staff, hire the very best detectives, and put the word out that corruption wouldn’t be tolerated.

Blue on Blue provides “a rare glimpse inside one of the most secretive branches of policing…and a compelling, behind-the-scenes account of what it takes to investigate police officers who cross the line between guardians of the public to criminals. It’s a mesmerizing exposé on the harsh realities and complexities of being a cop on the mean streets of New York City and the challenges of enforcing the law while at the same time obeying it” (The New York Journal of Books). Campisi allows us to listen in on wiretaps and feel the adrenaline rush of drawing in the net. It also reveals new threats to the force, such as the possibility of infiltration by terrorists.

“A lively memoir [told with] verve, intriguing detail, and a generous heart” (The Wall Street Journal) and “an expose of the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureaus [that is] enlightening and entertaining” (The New York Times Book Review), Blue on Blue will forever change the way you view police work.

corrupt cops:

loved the honesty, it's nice to see through the blue wall.
These dirtbags are worse than the mob

Great story but...

Gripping story. A series of man-on-the-scene first hand accounts of NYPD tales ranging from Sean Bell to Louima to 9/11.

My quibble is Mr. Campisi's incredible lack of empathy for the victims of police violence. He stresses its wrong, a disgrace to the uniform. He points out the thin blue line of silence isn't any more real than doctors protecting doctors or lawyers protecting lawyers.

But tgen, he cant seem to understand why people objected to stop-and-frisk (he dismisses a 200 page federal decision as "a court case") and dismisses Eric Garner's death by noting he had been arrested 30 times. Nothing about how Garner died as a result of an illegal chokehold. If zero tolerance works for citizens, should work for police too.

He dismisses liberals, lawyers, politicians as anti-cop.

I came away liking Mr. Campisi. He is no doubt a dedicated public servant, and would be a pleasure to have a meal with. He also tells a great story. But some of his views (though he disclaims this, the epilogue seems to suggest excluding Muslims from the NYPD-and his account of 9/11 doesn't mention that Muslim officers killed that day were initially suspected of being involved till their bodies were recovered) give me pause.

But it is a great book. Glad I bought it, and hope he writes more.

terrific factual book.

great book.
a factual read and very well cold very difficult to put this down I listen to it from cover to cover in one sitting

Best heard on 1.5 speed.

I don’t mean to knock the narration, but I felt it was best heard on 1.5 speed.

Well written!

Great book with excellent stories of cops holding other cops accountable. I highly recommend this book.