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Copyright © 2003-2004 Phil Elmore, all rights
reserved.
Going Undercover
A Book Review by Phil Elmore
Jerry Van Cook’s Going Undercover, long out of print, is once again
available. Updated by Van Cook and published by Hock Hochheim’s
Lauric
Enterprises, the book is every bit as good as before. If an analysis of the
psychology of undercover cops and a look at the often dangerous, always colorful
world in which they operate appeals to you, this is a book you will enjoy
immensely.
Jerry is probably best known for his prolific writing in the world of knives.
His columns in Tactical Knives magazine, for example, are among my
favorite portions of that publication. A skilled writer who knows how to draw in
the reader while painting detailed pictures of his life experiences, Van Cook’s
background in theater makes him perhaps ideally suited to both undercover work
and writing about undercover work.
I have heard it said that there are two kinds of people in the world — those
who think there are two kinds of people, and those who do not. Jerry describes
the difference between stable, rule-bound, by-the-book “Homesteaders”
and their opposites, the innovative, sometimes reckless, get-the-job-done
“Explorers.” Jerry, obviously, considers himself the latter. He
explains why the personality traits of Explorers make them better qualified for
undercover work than their more straight-laced counterparts.
In Chapters 1 and 2, Jerry covers the nuts and bolts of working undercover —
creating an identity (including the pros and cons of using your real first
name), establishing a convincing fictional biography and gathering appropriate
personal accessories, dress, character types, and the acting work that is
undercover operations. Chapter 3 is devoted to undercover vehicles — including
obtaining, preparing, and driving them. Chapter 4 discusses short- and long-term
undercover assignments.
In Part 2 of the book, “Getting Into Character,” Jerry explains how to
rehearse your role and balance the need between staying in character and
remembering the job you’ve gone undercover to do. He includes several exercises
for practice in Chapter 5. Chapter 6, “Advanced Training,” covers
education and improvisation, including seeking out local drama opportunities.
In Part 3, Jerry explains the characteristics of and dangers specific to working
undercover in various crimes, such as narcotics, theft, and murder. He touches
on everything from the types of informants detectives meet to dealing with
thieving employees and working with “straight” detectives.
Part 4 of the book is devoted to strategy. This includes electronic and
recording equipment (what undercover book would be complete without
“wires,” after all?), maintaining relationships with informants, and
creating illusions to gain criminals’ trust.
Being a weapon enthusiast, I particularly enjoyed the chapter on undercover
weapons. Jerry warns against firearms that scream “cop” while pointing
out that the most effective weapon is one you have that works. He covers
firearms and edged weapons (of course — this is Jerry Van Cook we’re talking
about) before touching briefly on other tools like sticks.
The life of an undercover police officer is not the safest one. Part 5 of
Jerry’s books is devoted to the physical and mental traps such officers face.
From ambushes staged by suspicious criminals to the dangers of corruption and
the lure of illicit sex, Jerry’s seen quite a bit and warns against quite a bit
more. Legal issues are also discussed, including drug use and perjury. From the
dangers of department politics to Jerry’s own confession of feeling tempted by
an attractive female informant, the dangers he faced — and those that his
active-duty undercover counterparts still face — are very real.
The last portion of the book discusses courtroom testimony and other
“wrapping up” activities that are the pay-off for the time spent
undercover. Cross-examination on the witness stand is something Jerry sees as a fight,
a conflict between the officer and the Defense. Tell the truth, he urges, and
steer clear of problem areas.
The book concludes with some advice on getting into undercover work and includes
a neat question-and-answer section with the author.
Throughout, the book is dotted with anecdotes from Jerry’s career as an
undercover police officer — stories that spice up the narrative and let the
reader live vicariously, if only a little bit, the dangers and the strangeness
of pretending to be a “bad guy” while working for the “good
guys.” Jerry does not flinch from looking at himself critically or with a
wry sense of humor, either. I particularly enjoyed the story he relates in which
he accidentally stays in character during a formal dinner with family. (Would
you invite a criminal scumbag to Thanksgiving? There are reasons you wouldn’t.)
Jerry Van Cook spends a lot of time writing these days. He pens some of
the better Executioner novels still available on the market, his magazine
columns and knife reviews are well worth reading, and he somehow finds time to
write books devoted to real-world self-defense.
If the world of undercover
police officers holds any interest for you, Going Undercover belongs on
your bookshelf.