The Blue View

The Uncut Journal of an Ohio Police Chief

By: Rodney Muterspaw

Narrated by: Rodney Muterspaw

Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

“The hardest thing about being a police officer is you have to solve everyone else’s problems when you can’t even solve your own.”

This book is an unedited and raw journal written by a police officer over a 30-year period. From his first day in the police academy to his last day as the chief of police in Middletown, Ohio, home of Hillbilly Elegy, you will feel as though you are right there with the author through the entire book, in a uniform, in a cruiser, and in his personal life.

Never written to be released to the public, this easy-to-follow format portrays the actual unfiltered personal journals of Chief Rodney Muterspaw, an award-winning Ohio police chief and Congressional guest at the Presidential State of the Union. You will feel the gamut of emotions as you follow him as a rookie, a patrol officer, investigator, narcotics officer, internal affairs supervisor, a chief of police, and a parent in one of the most well-known smaller cities in the Midwest.

The Blue View will draw you in emotionally, as you will finally have access to the behind-the-scenes thoughts and experiences that most police officers will not talk about. It doesn’t matter what side you are on, it is a must-listen. It will change the way you think about law enforcement.

More about The Blue View:

"Rodney Muterspaw was, for decades, a pillar of the community in Middletown - rising from junior officer on the Middletown Police force to chief during the height of the opioid epidemic. And for that entire time, he kept this incredible diary, chronicling the highs, lows, and hilarious moments of community policing. In these pages, you gain an appreciation for him, the man." (J. D. Vance, author of the New York Times best seller and Netflix blockbuster Hillbilly Elegy)

"Breathtaking! I grew up in the same streets as Muterspaw, but many years before he did. His vivid writing and perceptive storytelling help me to see its changes - its tragedies and its triumphs - through the world of its police. Part police drama, part social study, the chief offers valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t for the cops in an economically struggling rust belt town." (Clarence Page, 1989 Pulitzer Prize-Winning syndicated columnist and senior member of the Chicago Tribune editorial board)

"The Blue View presents a view of policing that is unlike anything I have ever read before. Beyond the good, the bad, and the ugly, Muterspaw has tracked his career in a raw and unvarnished way that will make you laugh and cry. While his self-deprecating sense of humor is the driving force of the book, he uses it to highlight real problems and real solutions within the increasingly complex world of policing." (Stephen Robert Morse, Emmy Nominated Producer of Netflix’s Amanda Knox)

"Jaw dropping! A truly honest look into a police officer’s personal world. Rewarding, heartbreaking, comical and inspiring! I laughed, I cried, and I loved it! A must read!" (Karin Johnson, WLWT Cincinnati News)

"Incredibly raw, and shockingly real! Muterspaw explores the trials and tribulations of being a cop in the heartland. With an open and honest viewpoint, he holds nothing back. From his unique perspective he highlights the good, the bad, and the ugly of policing, while sprinkling in enough humor to keep the mood light." (J. W. Cox, award-winning writer/director, Average Joe Films)

©2020 Rodney Muterspaw (P)2020 Rodney Muterspaw

Outstanding

This is definitely worth a download. Just an awesome piece of work overall. Well worth it.

Great Job

Yes, I'm from the Middletown area but this could be typical for any small Midwestern city. It gives an unfiltered look into life as a police officer. Give it a listen.

Great Book

Great book !! Thanks Rodney for all the good and bad insights. Enjoy your retirement.

COPS

Your perspective and explanation just made you human. I hope people get to read this book and see things from inside the department. We're no different. Thank you for your service

A Great Listen! 100% Authentic!

I loved the book! Being a current LEO I believe the book had great lessons and experience’s! Thank You Chief Muterspaw for sharing your experience’s!

A good listen

I've read and also just finished listening to this. It's pretty well put together all around, As someone who's goals are to become a police officer I enjoyed it and getting a look at it from this perspective.

Highly recommend this book

Captivating, brutally honest, side-splitting hilarious, heartbreaking, and eye-opening stories. He tells the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of law enforcement— without a political filter. Highly recommend.

ENJOYED THIS BOOK IMMENSELY

Wonderful narration and the story was engaging and entertaining. It was the real day to day grind of a police officer:”. AAAAA+++++

Honesty at its core, full of laughs, hardships, sorrow, and joy!

Wow!!! I am so full of emotions after listening to former Police Chief Rodney Muterspaw’s The Blue View. I’ve know ‘Mute’ for 20+ years. This book gave me a completely different perspective of his life day in and day out. Hearing his voice tell the daily stories was refreshing. The details of his career were heartwarming. From the ups, downs, happy times, and not so happy times, he still remained true to himself and his community. Hearing his views and daily trials and tribulations for our City of Middletown, also gave me a new found respect and admiration for him! I am so proud of the work and writings in this book and of him. I can truly say, the impact that he made on our city will never be forgotten. This was pure, raw, straight from the heart, no filter, honest reading. Thank you, thank you for your journey and allowing us to be a part of it.

Reveals the human behind the badge.

This is truly an eye-opener. Yeah, we all know that police officers are people but it just doesn’t sink in how hard this job is until you hear the frustration come directly from a 30-year retired officer. He made it all the way to Chief of Police and still has a good outlook on life and loves his city.

Lots to learn from this—not just about being a police officer but about life. Sure has made me think about a lot of things in a different light.

Thank you, Chief Muterspaw, for caring.