Straightforward, direct, and candid, Alexander Zelger describes the daily life of the head of the criminal police at the police headquarters in Bolzano. Tragic and comical, all too human and murderous, moments of success and dangerous situations intertwine. Life as a senior police officer was only bearable because a strong wife stood by his side – who also had to tolerate irregular working hours. In recounting individual cases, the reader will notice both the seriousness and the humor of the Chief Commissioner. Otherwise, the experiences would have been emotionally unbearable. Support from family, as well as from colleagues in the state police, who grew close to him over time, was crucial. Zelger's emotional world often shines through as he describes spectacular criminal cases as a passionate investigator. However, the focus of this book is on the professional approach to crime-fighting, which in many ways differs from crime novels and films. Anyone who wants to know what happens – at least in South Tyrol – behind the scenes of the police should read this book.