Behind the Badge

The true story of one of Australia's top cops for readers of I Catch Killers and The Good Cop.

Nick Kaldas is a cop's cop. From investigating war criminals to taking down global drug operations, Kaldas has seen the worst humanity can offer. But he's also seen which human qualities can lead to greatness.

This is the compelling true story of an immigrant boy from Egypt who rose from beat cop to become one of the most senior police officers in Australia. During his time in the NSW police force, he was one of Australia's first Arab undercover cops, headed up both the Homicide and Gang Squad units, reformed the Counter Terrorism team and then became the Deputy Police Commissioner.

He has also faced down some of the toughest, most brutal criminal organisations in the world. In the Middle East, he was hand-picked by the United Nations to investigate the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, investigate the illegal use of chemical weapons in Syria, and was the Director of Internal Oversight Services at UNRWA, the UN agency tasked with assisting Palestine refugees.

Having negotiated hostage situations, gained the trust of the Syrian secret police and chaired the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, Kaldas has learned a thing or two about resilience, courage, and fortitude. In Behind the Badge, he describes the most challenging cases that have shaped him and reveals what it takes to stand up for what's right in the face of insurmountable opposition.

'The type of cop we all aspire to be.' - Gary Jubelin

'A glimpse of the personal cost of pursuing what is right.' - Mick Keelty, former Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police

'Kaldas's motto "I regret nothing" summarises this exciting new book.' - Louis Freeh, former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

'Challenge, intrigue, high achievement, danger, pride, dogged determination and self-belief - it's all here and more.' - Sir Paul Stephenson QPM, former Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police Service