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No Mopes Allowed: A Small Town Police Chief Rants and Babbles about Hugs and High Fives, Meth Busts, Internet Celebrity, and Other Adventures . . .
If you like no-nonsense crime-busting, straight-shooting opinions, and offbeat humor, you'll love this greatest-hits collection from surprise Internet sensation Chief David A. Oliver of the Brimfield Police Department . . .
He's been called "the coolest police chief in existence," but David Oliver says he's just doing his job--and still doesn't understand how his small-town police department's Facebook page attracted a worldwide audience. Readers from as far away as Australia, Ireland, and Hong Kong, and from every state in the U.S. "stop by" daily for a virtual cup of coffee with the chief.
Whether he's busting "mopes" (old-fashioned cop slang for criminal types), comforting a teen runaway, or promoting school safety, Oliver's folksy and feisty style connects with readers. He tackles tough issues: The invasion of Meth and other drugs. Drunk driving. School shootings. He champions personal responsibility, and chastises politicians.
"I have a low tolerance for nonsense," Oliver says.
This book collects the best of the chief's politically incorrect essays, delightfully sarcastic letters to criminals, humorous crime reports, inspirational quotes, and more.
Enter the colorful world of the Brimfield PD . . . Where you do NOT want to win a pair of "silver bracelets" and "a trip to the bed-and-breakfast" . . . Where drug mopes are pursued by a "Meth Whisperer" . . . Where dispatch calls might include an APB ("All-Pig Bulletin") . . . And where kids caught bicycling safely are issued tickets--for free ice cream. If you're not a mope, you'll fit right in!
David Oliver will donate all of his income from this book to the Chief Oliver Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that distributes funds to police department charitable programs and assists juvenile survivors of sexual assault.
He's been called "the coolest police chief in existence," but David Oliver says he's just doing his job--and still doesn't understand how his small-town police department's Facebook page attracted a worldwide audience. Readers from as far away as Australia, Ireland, and Hong Kong, and from every state in the U.S. "stop by" daily for a virtual cup of coffee with the chief.
Whether he's busting "mopes" (old-fashioned cop slang for criminal types), comforting a teen runaway, or promoting school safety, Oliver's folksy and feisty style connects with readers. He tackles tough issues: The invasion of Meth and other drugs. Drunk driving. School shootings. He champions personal responsibility, and chastises politicians.
"I have a low tolerance for nonsense," Oliver says.
This book collects the best of the chief's politically incorrect essays, delightfully sarcastic letters to criminals, humorous crime reports, inspirational quotes, and more.
Enter the colorful world of the Brimfield PD . . . Where you do NOT want to win a pair of "silver bracelets" and "a trip to the bed-and-breakfast" . . . Where drug mopes are pursued by a "Meth Whisperer" . . . Where dispatch calls might include an APB ("All-Pig Bulletin") . . . And where kids caught bicycling safely are issued tickets--for free ice cream. If you're not a mope, you'll fit right in!
David Oliver will donate all of his income from this book to the Chief Oliver Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that distributes funds to police department charitable programs and assists juvenile survivors of sexual assault.
- GenresNonfictionHumor
257 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2013
2 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 1, 2013
I gave this book five stars, not so much for the writing (which was excellent) but because of the content. What Chief Oliver is doing works. I would love to see more of this type of policing. Right is right and wrong is wrong. That's pretty much it and the world would be a happier, healthier place if we all remembered that.
Read
July 28, 2016I picked this book up because I was interested in the "Internet sensation" storyline. How did the police chief of a town whose population just topped 10,000 people command an online audience of hundreds of thousands worldwide? The "how" actually isn't covered; it's just a transcription of the social media postings themselves. Now, I am not in agreement with much of the author's politics or social philosophy, and his attitude rubs me the wrong way, but Robert Anton Wilson urged people to try out someone else's "reality tunnel" now and again and attempt to see things from a different perspective. So for me reading this book became an exercise in horizon-broadening, and an attempt to see "how the other half lives" (or, more to the point, how the other half thinks).
I did read this after allegations of the author's misconduct came to light, and at a time when public opinion of the police was soured by revelations of excessive force and shootings nationwide. Against these backdrops it's very difficult not to find immediate fault with the work itself. It's therefore hard for me to rate, since a lot of what he says runs counter to my own beliefs. In fact, I am hesitant to give it any star rating at all because it's so different from my regular reading material that I fear skewing the reviews just because I disagree with its content and the doings of its author. It seems improper to lower the average rating due to my own biases. I will say, however, that it is not the most well-crafted work in terms of writing proficiency. There are grammar issues to nitpick over and lots of clunky or amateurish turns of phrase. But that actually may be part of its appeal: here we have an "average Joe" writing from the blue-collar masses, not some high-falutin' ivory tower dweller with an out-of-touch mindset. In that regard, the book is a success; a plain-spoken perspective on law and order from a real-life occupant of that role.
Read but not rated on 7/28/2016.
I did read this after allegations of the author's misconduct came to light, and at a time when public opinion of the police was soured by revelations of excessive force and shootings nationwide. Against these backdrops it's very difficult not to find immediate fault with the work itself. It's therefore hard for me to rate, since a lot of what he says runs counter to my own beliefs. In fact, I am hesitant to give it any star rating at all because it's so different from my regular reading material that I fear skewing the reviews just because I disagree with its content and the doings of its author. It seems improper to lower the average rating due to my own biases. I will say, however, that it is not the most well-crafted work in terms of writing proficiency. There are grammar issues to nitpick over and lots of clunky or amateurish turns of phrase. But that actually may be part of its appeal: here we have an "average Joe" writing from the blue-collar masses, not some high-falutin' ivory tower dweller with an out-of-touch mindset. In that regard, the book is a success; a plain-spoken perspective on law and order from a real-life occupant of that role.
Read but not rated on 7/28/2016.
January 20, 2014
Brimfield, Ohio is a tiny township near the city of Kent, with a population of around 10,400 (it's about 20 minutes or so from where I live). When Oliver, the township's police chief, decided to start a Facebook page for the police department, he expected to get a few hundred likes. Instead of a few hundred likes, the Brimfield Police Department's Facebook page now has more likes than any other police department in the nation, save New York City. I just peeked at their Facebook page, and the page has nearly 137,000 likes, from people in every state and several countries. This book is a compilation of some of the chief's favorite Facebook posts.
If you follow the police department's page, you can see why it is so popular- Chief Oliver is very no-holds barred, very honest and often very, very funny. He has a way of telling stories about the various "mopes" (police slang for a crook or ne'er-do-well) and his officers' responses. I've never had the pleasure of meeting him but several of my colleagues at the newspaper have, and they have assured me that my impressions I get of him on Facebook - as someone who is outspoken, boisterous, and very open and honest- are on target. There are some serious posts - like his thoughts on the triple homicide that took place not all that long ago, and September 11. But most of the columns are wry observations about the criminal element. He does stress- both in his book and his page- that people can reform. He's open about his own past, where he describes himself as being without character (although not a criminal) until he met "Mrs. Chief." Sales from this book, by the way, benefit the department's charitable activities, such as Shop With A Cop and help for juvenile victims of sexual abuse.
If you follow the police department's page, you can see why it is so popular- Chief Oliver is very no-holds barred, very honest and often very, very funny. He has a way of telling stories about the various "mopes" (police slang for a crook or ne'er-do-well) and his officers' responses. I've never had the pleasure of meeting him but several of my colleagues at the newspaper have, and they have assured me that my impressions I get of him on Facebook - as someone who is outspoken, boisterous, and very open and honest- are on target. There are some serious posts - like his thoughts on the triple homicide that took place not all that long ago, and September 11. But most of the columns are wry observations about the criminal element. He does stress- both in his book and his page- that people can reform. He's open about his own past, where he describes himself as being without character (although not a criminal) until he met "Mrs. Chief." Sales from this book, by the way, benefit the department's charitable activities, such as Shop With A Cop and help for juvenile victims of sexual abuse.
October 9, 2013
Subtitled: A Small Town Police Chief Rants and Babbles About Hugs and High Fives, meth Busts, Internet Celebrity, and Other Adventures.
Chief Oliver of the Brimfield (Ohio) Police Department wanted to share with his community the activities of his department so he set up a Facebook page in 2011. Fast forward to 2013 with over 87K “likes” from all over the world.
Oliver has gathered together some of his best postings, some of which are funny, others are incredibly touching. You learn about the life of a small town police department, how the BPD reaches out to help their neediest community members, the continuing efforts to stem the drug trade, how seriously they take drunk driving, and how much the officers are invested in the town they live in.
Someone recommended I check out a particular rant by Oliver regarding another police chief with some strange ideas on how to act in a public forum. I enjoyed his way of addressing the issue and checked out other postings. I could feel Oliver’s true love for his department and the people he tries to protect, even from themselves. This love and concern is reflected in his book. We’re also given some basic background on the Chief himself as well as the community he serves. 4.5 out of 5.
Chief Oliver of the Brimfield (Ohio) Police Department wanted to share with his community the activities of his department so he set up a Facebook page in 2011. Fast forward to 2013 with over 87K “likes” from all over the world.
Oliver has gathered together some of his best postings, some of which are funny, others are incredibly touching. You learn about the life of a small town police department, how the BPD reaches out to help their neediest community members, the continuing efforts to stem the drug trade, how seriously they take drunk driving, and how much the officers are invested in the town they live in.
Someone recommended I check out a particular rant by Oliver regarding another police chief with some strange ideas on how to act in a public forum. I enjoyed his way of addressing the issue and checked out other postings. I could feel Oliver’s true love for his department and the people he tries to protect, even from themselves. This love and concern is reflected in his book. We’re also given some basic background on the Chief himself as well as the community he serves. 4.5 out of 5.
January 5, 2015
I'm not going to lie. I don't just love the Brimfield Police Department. I LOVE the Brimfield Police Department! I'm a proud Crazy Cousin (British Chapter) Chief Oliver is a man who doesn't mince his words. Yet he speaks them with compassion and love. It's as though he wants every one of the nearly 200,000 Facebook followers (which, as he regularly points out, if far more than the 10,500 who live in Brimfield) in his front room. He wants to make you a coffee and give you a hug. The one thing he doesn't like are mopes. If you're a criminal, you better believe that you're not welcome in Chief Oliver's front room.
The book is pretty much a "Best of" of from the Facebook page. They're printed in all their glory, including the odd dropped or misspelled word. This only adds to the charm of this wonderful book and you get a get sense of love and pride. This is small town America at its greatest. It's also inspirational and I read this book when I was dealing with a bit of crap in my own life. It spoke to me on a deeper level, one that reassured me that I wasn't alone in this world and that I was dealing with things in the right way.
Thanks, Chief Oliver! Can we have Volume 2 now, please?!?!
The book is pretty much a "Best of" of from the Facebook page. They're printed in all their glory, including the odd dropped or misspelled word. This only adds to the charm of this wonderful book and you get a get sense of love and pride. This is small town America at its greatest. It's also inspirational and I read this book when I was dealing with a bit of crap in my own life. It spoke to me on a deeper level, one that reassured me that I wasn't alone in this world and that I was dealing with things in the right way.
Thanks, Chief Oliver! Can we have Volume 2 now, please?!?!
December 22, 2013
No Mopes Allowed captures the essence of the Brimfield Police Department's wildly popular Facebook Page: it alternates brief descriptions of encounters with mopes, accounts of interactions with children, seniors and veterans, and the Chief's rants.
Chief David Oliver's rants usually deal with encounters with mopes, interactions with children, seniors and veterans, the harm done by drugs, the stupidity of driving badly and without a valid license, and the general ineffectiveness of politicians in dealing with mopes, drugs or weapons.
Chief Oliver doesn't apologize for his opinions, and he occasionally wonders that so many would be willing to read them. Well, why not? The guy was correctly described by a Facebook reader as "Mark Twain with a badge and computer." The man the kids call "Cheap Otter" is not a political pundit: his views are unsettling, no doubt, to both conservatives and liberals. But he retains both his own civility - something missing throughout the Internet - and the respect and love of his officers and his community.
What else can a man ask for?
Chief David Oliver's rants usually deal with encounters with mopes, interactions with children, seniors and veterans, the harm done by drugs, the stupidity of driving badly and without a valid license, and the general ineffectiveness of politicians in dealing with mopes, drugs or weapons.
Chief Oliver doesn't apologize for his opinions, and he occasionally wonders that so many would be willing to read them. Well, why not? The guy was correctly described by a Facebook reader as "Mark Twain with a badge and computer." The man the kids call "Cheap Otter" is not a political pundit: his views are unsettling, no doubt, to both conservatives and liberals. But he retains both his own civility - something missing throughout the Internet - and the respect and love of his officers and his community.
What else can a man ask for?
December 31, 2013
This book was funny, poignat and moving. Cheif Oliver (or Cheap Otter as he is called by many youngin's), is witty and wise. It's basically a book of him sharing the "best of's" from his departments staggering 130,000 + likes page on Facebook. Pretty impressive for a township of just a few hundred.
Chief Oliver is on a mission to remove "mopes" (criminals) from his jurisdiction. From Meth Labs on the go to people robbing the local WalMart, his department is very successful.
Cheif Oliver has an old-fashioned look on life, where police officers are there to protect and serve. They give free ice cream 'tickets' to any kid caught riding a bike with a helmet. They take underpriveldeged children shopping with a cop to help buy clothes and materials for schools.
They use the proceeds from the book to help fund a security system for the local schools.
I can't praise this man and his department enough. So far the most entertaining philanthropic adventure I have been on.
Chief Oliver is on a mission to remove "mopes" (criminals) from his jurisdiction. From Meth Labs on the go to people robbing the local WalMart, his department is very successful.
Cheif Oliver has an old-fashioned look on life, where police officers are there to protect and serve. They give free ice cream 'tickets' to any kid caught riding a bike with a helmet. They take underpriveldeged children shopping with a cop to help buy clothes and materials for schools.
They use the proceeds from the book to help fund a security system for the local schools.
I can't praise this man and his department enough. So far the most entertaining philanthropic adventure I have been on.
January 2, 2014
Having lived and worked for more than 25 years in a small town similar to Brimfield, I can relate to many of this police department's issues. Also, I can honestly say that I not only enjoyed this book, but also Chief Oliver's outlook on life and dedication to police work. He is a refreshingly honest person! His staff, as well as officers from many small towns are real-life heroes everyday.
I laughed, I cried (well teared up anyway). The word "mopes" should be added to the dictionary! Read this book!!!
I laughed, I cried (well teared up anyway). The word "mopes" should be added to the dictionary! Read this book!!!
October 7, 2013
Chief Oliver is great! I thoroughly enjoy reading his posts every day on Facebook! I loved checking out his new [to me] posts and rereading some of his other stories. He tells it like it is, and there is no sugar-coating. We need more of Chief Oliver and less of the path the world is on now.
The only bad thing about this book is that it needed some editing -- there were some grammar problems and misspellings, but overall, messages were received, loud and clear!
The only bad thing about this book is that it needed some editing -- there were some grammar problems and misspellings, but overall, messages were received, loud and clear!
June 19, 2014
Not a Hemingway, Twain or Lewis Carroll, but doesn't need to be. His book is a classic in its own right. "Cheap Otter" (read the book!) has become an internet sensation via Facebook with what he and his small-town, big-difference police department accomplishes on a daily basis and gives back to their community. This is what heroes are made of. Read the book and "Like" his page. I highly recommend it. Chief, thank you for being a true role model and an American Hero!
December 3, 2013
Some of the stuff I really remember reading through the years on the Facebook page and others I have forgotten or missed. I really enjoyed reading the book and smiled way more than one time. After reading it is a must to Like the Chief's Facebook page so you can continue to smile after reading his daily posts or his rants.
July 4, 2014
I love the Chief's common sense approach to everything. We need more people like him in leadership roles in this world. He proves you can be tough, yet compassionate, see the worst in this world yet still find humor in it as well.
March 3, 2014
I enjoyed this book, but was very frustrated with the typos and bad editing. One story showed up twice about 50 pages apart.
Want to read
May 3, 2014Own. Haven't Read. 09/28/13
December 22, 2014
I really enjoyed reading the Chief's stories about his department, his town, and his officers. The stories were short and each and every one of them is enjoyable.
January 29, 2015
Many typographical errors exist in this book, but I truly enjoyed reading the "rants" and "babbles" of this candid, no-nonsense former police chief.
March 6, 2015
I recently heard that this police chief is no longer working in Brimfield. So sad that I missed out on his daily posts, but glad this book was written to give me a taste of the sass.
July 27, 2014
Small town cop makes good... really good... by doing his job extremely well. What's not to love?
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews