'Mick the crim' was a beloved undercover cop until he arrested North Coast criminal Robert Ernest Neville for attempting to hire a hitman. Neville wanted Kaldas to kill a young man who had spurned his advances and instigated defamation proceedings. Kaldas dressed casually for the job, prepared to play the part of a member of Sydney's criminal milieu. Neville was arrested shortly after giving Kaldas a down payment on the job. Kaldas has written a book, Behind the Badge, detailing his 35-year career as a top cop working in homicide, gangs, hostage negotiation, and anti-terrorism.