Five years ago, when I started this book, my intention was to pass on to young officers the wisdom I'd acquired during my years on the job. But time and events have proved that perhaps my message needed to reach a greater audience.

The work of a cop was completely foreign to me when I stepped into it. I had been a sculptor and a decorative blacksmith until I made the switch. I quickly took to policing, but I was shocked by what I was thrown into. All professions have skill sets, and police work is no exception, but unique to this profession is that you step right into the unfiltered chaos of the human condition the minute you leave the academy.

In recent times, everywhere I look I see police officers being blamed for society's ills. The vitriol being unloaded on cops was difficult for me to understand. How was it that cops had become the enemy? Cops are just employees. Public servants. They enforce the laws that are created through the democratic process under which we all live.

I write this book in an effort to demystify and to humanize the person behind the badge (any person behind the badge). Like you, we are all just people. At least we start that way.

I hope that Gray Skies, Blue Line will open many eyes and hearts. It's a beginning.

Victor Letonoff has over 20 years of experience as a police officer. He's been writing about police work for the past ten years, winning several national awards. This is his first book.