TARGET BLUE: An Insider's View of the New York Police Department

by Robert Daley ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 4, 1973

An extraordinary number of books about cops have appeared lately, reflecting our current mania for police lore-and-odor. This one -- a detailed recital of journalist Daley's year as a New York City Deputy Police Commissioner -- is among the most interesting from a topical point of view, as he discusses the Knapp Commission's investigation into corruption on the force, Commissioner Patrick V. Murphy's modus operandi (Daley came to the conclusion that crime ""bored"" Murphy -- but then they did not part the best of friends, the length of Daley's hair an issue), the Joe Columbo and Joey Gallo shootings, the Hotel Pierre jewel heist, the campaign to run sex out of Times Square, the French Connection case, the activities of strumpet par excellence Xaviera Hollander, etc. There are no headline disclosures here, unless it's that the Black Liberation Army allegedly plotted to murder Commissioner Murphy. But Daley does offer some sensitive observations about the grinding nature of big-city police work, particularly how the constant confrontation with violence and sordidness eats into the viscus. At the end of a year and seven days, Daley leaves the department -- leaves with many regrets and wonderment about his experience -- ""Who would have thought I could learn to care so much about cops?"" The N.Y.P.D. has its problems and barrels of rotten apples, but after reading this you'll think twice about shouting ""pig.

Pub Date: June 4, 1973

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Delacorte

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1973

Categories: NONFICTION