What a fascinating book! Totally compelling read and even if I didn’t have experience of policing it is well worth the read, and annotated to explain certain things if you aren’t. An insight into the world of the undercover cop Steve Jackson that blew away some of my myths. I found it uniquely honest and a view of policing that we wouldn’t ordinarily get to know about.
Having reviewed this part of policing (although in later years when inspection took its hold) I know a lot about its organisation, funding and regulation, although never allowed to know who these officers were, this book completes the picture for me. Reading about Steve Jackson's setting up of the Legend and surviving deep into this world reinforces my own view of the courage and fortitude of these remarkable people. The sacrifice made by those involved and their respective families receives little press and I think Stephen Bentley underplays this aspect of the job. We have to acknowledge that it is, indeed, a job and the benefits are not for themselves, but for the world in general. We can see quite clearly from this honest and revealing account that it may be others who receive the thanks, accolade and rewards; theirs is only the knowing that they did the job to the best of their abilities. For others it is what I call the OBE effect; honour obtained by ‘Other Buggers Efforts.’
This extraordinary book reveals some of the dangers that UC officers place themselves in; in a world where guns have become commonplace on the streets, the value of human life become frailer, and this job becomes even harder than ever. However, when Bill, the gun carrying Canadian Mafioso drug dealer holds his fingers, simulating a gun, to your head and pretends to blow you away the danger is real, as is the known paranoia of the Drug Dealer who samples his own wares at any time in history to the present day.
This is a real insight into the aftermath and long standing effects that can reach down through the decades. These days I hope and believe that such officers would receive more aftercare, but services to humanity, like the police and the armed forces, (in my opinion) do not take this aspect seriously. This book should be required reading for both. Pat McDonald British Crime Author
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From the Publisher
Undercover
Once a clean-cut detective
Transformed
Now a pioneering undercover cop posing as a hippie
Pioneering Undercover Cop
- You ever wondered what it takes to be an undercover cop?
- To infiltrate a worldwide crime gang?
- To live a double life?
'Undercover Operation Julie - The Inside Story, ' documents everyday life of undercover work as the author, Stephen Bentley, won the confidence of the gang members. Bentley tells in his book how he built a "perfect" relationship with Smiles, an important gang member. But this friendship almost undermined the whole operation.- BBC News England, October 2, 2016.
'The fascinating and extraordinary inside story from the man who was actually there.' - Rob Gittins, Screenwriter and Novelist, Writer of 'Julie' BBC Drama
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Top reviews from other countries
Irene
A raw, captivating true crime story
Reviewed in Canada on 5 February 2020Verified Purchase
Kay Castaneda
From clean-cut policeman to long-haired hippie
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Helen
An interesting, honest memoir
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Pat McDonald
An honest and compelling read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 October 2016Verified Purchase
Mike
compelling but....
Reviewed in Canada on 23 February 2018Verified Purchase
