Cops Under Fire!

12 Gripping Stories of Real-Life Police Shootouts (And What to Make of Them)

De: Brian McKenna

Narrado por: Nick Cline

Armed-encounters expert and police trainer Brian McKenna shares his expertise in a series of gripping stories involving real-life police shootouts. Step into the shoes of police officers who have run toward the sound of gunfire, who have faced attacks by deadly assailants, and who have lived to share the tale.

But this book is more than just stories about courageous cops.

Each story is followed by McKenna’s expert analysis of its important learning points, especially concerning how and why the officers use force and the legal aspects of self-defense and the defense of others. In these analyses, McKenna offers insider information on topics that are often misinterpreted by the public. Combining action-packed true crime storytelling and law enforcement analysis, Cops Under Fire! is a spotlight on the the realities of armed encounters and the use of force by police on the brutal streets of America.

©2021 Oxford Southern (P)2022 Beacon Audiobooks

Stories of Police Shootouts + misplaced commentary

I bought the book based on the audio sample and the subtitle: “12 Gripping Stories of Real-Life Police Shootouts (And What to Make of Them).” I found this title to be a bit deceiving. The shootout stories are gripping, but the author’s commentary is often bewildering. At times his commentary sounds like a post event analysis conducted for police recruit training. At other times it feels like he’s presenting awards to police officers who exemplify the “warrior spirit,” and still others it feels like he’s lecturing civilians about everything from their fitness regime to keeping fire extinguishers in their kitchens. I felt like he was about to advise me not to run with scissors or swim just after eating. Finally, the book ends with a chapter discussing George Floyd, the “defunding police” movement and the author defending police against the charge of systematic racism. I agree these are important topics, but they don’t belong in this book.

The author does present excellent and insightful commentary, but I feel the reader/ listener would be better served with maybe 20 shootout stories and 40% less (unrelated) commentary. I would give such a book 4 stars. Also, it felt like the narrator spoke with a passive tone and often ran short of breath. I would have preferred this book about police shootouts be narrated by someone a bit gritty.