Actor Richard Belzer is known for his role as Detective John Munch; first on the TV show, "Homicide — Life on the Street," and later as the same character on "Law & Order — Special Victims Unit (SVU)."

He’s written a book entitled, "I Am Not a Real Cop," which has just gone to the printer. In an interview with USA Today Belzer tells the story about an experience he had filming a "Homicide" episode in Baltimore.

He explains, "There I am standing in an alley with a prop cop car at one end of the alley, and a prop cop car at the other end. Crime scene technicians are gathering (prop) evidence and taking pictures, while I’m standing there holding a (prop) gun in my hand with a (prop) badge hanging on my jacket. Remember — even though this all looks very imposing, I am not a real cop."

Belzer continues his story: "So, anyway, this genuine thief, who is not part of the TV episode, has just shoplifted some real merchandise from a nearby store and is running away from a real Baltimore cop. The fleeing suspect, a true-life thief, turns the corner and runs down the alley where I’m standing as Detective John Munch, Baltimore P. D. — still, not a real cop."

The thief runs right up to Blezer (Munch) and sees him wearing a badge and holding a gun. Belzer again reminds us: "Remember, the badge and the gun are just props because I’m not a real cop."

That distinction between real and prop stuff apparently makes no impression on the fleeing criminal who throws up his hands and surrenders himself to Detective Munch (Belzer) — whoever. Case closed!

It’s interesting to note that Richard Belzer, a real actor, is a busy guy having played the same character on three versions of Law & Order, The X-Files, The Wire, The Simpsons, and Sesame Street — and now he’s a real writer.