Cop : A True Story

by Michael L. Middleton

In this brutally honest portrait, Sergeant Michael Middleton--a now-retired veteran of the LAPD--tells the gripping tale of his two decades on some of the America's meanest streets.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Politics

337 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1994

Reviews

[Makenna W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic and gritty, one of my favorites.

[Landon Antico · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book “Cop, A True Story” by Micheal L Middleton is about the life of a police officer in one of the worst crime waves this world has ever seen. Former sergeant Micheal L. Middleton of the LAPD tells us what it is like to be a cop from the 60s to the 90s. He describes incredible, gruesome stories. The things he had to deal with and see, most people will never have to see in their life. He had to go through racist cops and dirty cops. Through it all, he can tell the tale of the worst crime wave our country has ever seen.

For not normally being an author, Micheal L. Middleton did a very good job writing this book. The plot, the characters, and his writing style were all very good. The book was told in first person for some of it, then he narrated the rest of the book. The book setting took place in the 60s through the 70s in Los Angeles in the Newton district. He used himself, his first partner, and pretty much everyone else he met on the way. The book overall is very well written especially for someone who isn’t an author.

The book had a lot of highs. What do I mean by that? I mean that there were a lot of scenes that were thrillers, and had you sitting on the edge of your seat. For instance, at the beginning of the book, the officers were in a chase when the suspect entered the hospital and the suspect starting conceiving a child in the middle of the hospital. Another interesting moment is when, they were on a foot chase and the suspect started shooting the officer as he was getting tackled. Thankfully, all of the bullets missed.

As the book did have a lot of highs, it also had a lot of lows. What do I mean by that? I mean just downright boring moments where nothing fun or interesting happened. For example, in the beginning of the book, his first ever partner was being super racist and there was nothing he could do about it. Another bad moment is when, they were speaking with detectives and the detectives talked down to them like they were better.

I think that this book was amazing. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in what goes on in law enforcement, and/or if you just want a thriller to read. I also recommend any other book this author has written, especially Medal of Valor Firefighters. This book had a lot of fun and exciting things going on, but it did have its downs. If I had to give this book a rating out of 5 I would give it 4 ½ stars.

[Patricia English · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good read. Although it had a lot more about racism in policing than just being about a cop on the street. Really opened my eyes to what went on in la at the time and how things played out at that time. He writes honestly and does not write himself to be without blame in the whole thing. I was glad to have read it and seen how it really was on the streets.

[Chuckdee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 20 year old book as pertinent today as it was the day it was published.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy as Ef! Effed up book but a great read! Definitely one of my favorites. Had my jaw drop and shaking my head at some of the things that went down.

[Eroxbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

When someone thinks about the stereotypical police officer, they might think of some impregnable peacekeeper. However, Michael Middleton’s Cop proves them wrong. Although their primary purpose is to protect and serve, one must remember that they’re still just people. Yes, they have undergone rigorous training and have prepared themselves as best they can for life as a police officer. However, there is nothing that can prepare you for what happens while on the force. Cop will make you completely rethink the way you see police officers. This book brings you to the edge of the abyss and back, telling the tale of Michael Middleton’s hellish journey through the ranks of the force. Throughout the book, one can obviously tell that the author’s voice is often shaken and frightened at the events transpiring. At times, while on the force, it might seem everything is against you. This book proves that, with the details put into every one of Mike Middleton’s memories about horrifying crime scenes. This book helped put into perspective the real urban warfare that occurs in cities and towns. Whether it be fatalities or noise complaints, police officers are meant to be there. I had a wonderful time reading this book, and I strongly urge anyone who stumbles upon it to pick it up and read it all the way through. You might learn a thing or two about police officers.

[Stefan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middleton L. Middleton's memoir of being a beat cop on the seedier side of Los Angeles was a candid and often thoughtful look at the challenges of doing an incredibly difficult and dangerous job in a urban environment fraught with racial tensions, casual violence, poverty and drug abuse. I found "Cop" to be a gripping read that didn't shy away from the gritty and often horrific reality of working for the Los Angeles Police Department. I really appreciated that Middleton purposely tried not to sugarcoat his actions or memories. I also appreciated that Middleton wasn't constantly on the defensive and, instead, was fully willingly to admit that not all the things he and other officers did were always justified.

[Esme · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very straightforward memoir about what it was like to be a street cop in Los Angeles from the 60s to the 90s. I think it might be a little too basic for people who've read or enjoy more complex books that discuss the cause and effect of criminology with far greater nuance.

Middleton goes to the trouble to define every term which a reader might not understand, in this post seen-a-thousand-episodes of Law and Order world is there anyone left who wouldn't know the meaning of "kilo" or slang terms for heroin?

Still, I enjoyed the stories, and I trusted that the author was telling it to me straight. Even as I found myself thinking, "CRASH and Ramparts scandal? That's what they based 'The Shield' on wasn't it, the guy they indicted is even named Mack. Huh."

[DAISY READS HORROR · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book written from a LAPD officer on his accounts of cases he was involved in. I admired his honesty in many obstacles that the department faces within its own structure. He touched on racism, death and internal police corruption among other topics. Some of his stories will stay with me for a while such as the one about the father who slashed his 2 children's throats.

I highly recommend this if you want an honest account from an ex police officer who worked some of the meanest streets in America.

[Vichmd · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Cop" is a collection of stories by a retired LA police officer from his 21-year career as a patrol officer in one of America's worst ghettos. This book earns five stars for the simple fact that I couldn't put it down. From the first chapter, it's non-stop action in the 'hood. If you like stories of true crime and/or criminology, this book is for you.

[Lisa Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the wife of a Police Officer your book was amazing. Not only reading your histroy Mr. Middleton, but being able to place my husband on his calls and feel your words was awsome. I cried and laughed !God bless you for being safe to this day and God Bless your wife for being the special wife she needs to be ! Thank you for your book. Is it possible to contact the author of this book ?

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read about an L.A. cop. I bought it because it reminded me the show SouthLand which was not on the air at the time and it did not disappoint. If you like SouhtLand, you'll like this book. Serious stuff.

[Chris Cutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book was amazing! I really got to see what life is like in the LAPD through the eyes of a real LAPD officer. Even my aunt, who worked for LAPD, recommends this book for people to read to see what it is really like.

[Eric Mayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book on the rigors of police work in big city America. Gives a first hand experience of what the street cop faces day in and day out. Reading this book gives a refreshing perspective on what cops face daily, much better than the clueless insight given by those on social media.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have a little bit more respect for (good) cops, although I had to skip the chapter on racist cops cuz it was too sickening.

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is a great look into the life of a LA cop

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

More crazy and interesting stories from an LAPD officer.

[Gail · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Read" is an exaggeration. I read it for 20 minutes on the bike, skipping paragraphs of conversation due to really, really bad, bad language. I cannot recommend this book to anyone.

[Susan Visser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very insightful look into the LAPD during the 70s and 80s with racism, gangs, drugs, women in the force and more.

[Don Arthur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book because it followed the title: true. Middleton tells the truth about his patrolman work- good and bad which I appreciated. It is educational as well as interesting.

[Stephan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Police Officer retelling of his life work. I found this to be a great read, really interesting.