Diving into the world of law enforcement literature doesn’t have to feel like a chore! We’ve lined up a selection of books that are not only by and for LEOs and their families, but are also engaging, entertaining and downright intriguing.
From laugh-out-loud anecdotes to eye-opening insights, these reads promise to be your perfect off-duty companions. Got a book suggestion? Email editor@police1.com.
Anatomy of a Critical Incident: Navigating Controversy
The exploration of critical incidents in law enforcement focuses on the distinction between truth and fact, particularly in high-stakes situations where an officer’s perception greatly influences their actions. Truth, as understood from an officer’s perspective, encompasses the subjective data shaped by human factors and decision-making under time constraints, especially during critical incidents where the stakes involve life and death. “Anatomy of a Critical Incident: Navigating Controversy” provides an in-depth review of the most relevant and important human factors that every investigator, administrator and trainer should understand when conducting use-of-force investigations and reviews.
Passing the Badge: Stories from Law Enforcement
From rural Oregon to the frozen streets of Anchorage, ride along with veteran officer Blake Cordell, who not only shares his own stories but weaves in the captivating stories of his father, a former K9 handler. These stories offer an immersive glimpse into the world of policing, inviting you to feel the raw emotions, humor and adrenaline that pulse through the lives of police officers. “Passing the Badge” is a rare and authentic glimpse behind the scenes, revealing the human behind the uniform.
A Peek Under the Hood: Heroin, Hope, and Operation Tune-Up
In 1994, an altruistic DEA agent and his atypical informant, a noble soul who’d endured the injustices of war and forced labor camps in Vietnam, set out to make a difference in Worcester, Massachusetts, a textile and tool manufacturing hub of the Industrial Revolution now known for its production of heroin, crack and crime. Infiltrating a string of drug-dealing auto repair shops in the gritty Main South neighborhood, “Operation Tune-Up” then journeyed into an underworld to solve murders in New York; tangle with computer chip armed robbers from California; chase a wily fugitive through Puerto Rico; go undercover with cocaine smugglers in Panama; and, most locally impactful, expose the biggest heroin traffickers the old mill town had ever seen. A history-making case that stimulated the revitalization of a depressed city, “A Peek Under the Hood” by Michael Pevarnik tells the inside story of a community’s victory in the war on drugs
Manhunt: The Search for Vicky and Casey White: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
On April 29, 2022, at 9:41 a.m., Vicky White, the Assistant Administrator and sixteen-year veteran of the Lauderdale County Detention Center in Lauderdale County Alabama, walked Casey White (no relation) a convicted felon serving 75 years with the Alabama Department of Corrections and awaiting trial on a capital murder charge in the death of Connie Ridgeway, out the detention center door. A model employee with an unblemished record, the escape caught her supervisors, co-workers, and even her own family totally off guard.
On the run for 11 days, the escape caught the attention of the national media and, ultimately, by media outlets around the world. With a six-hour lead and nothing to go on, the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshals Service Gulf States Regional Fugitive Task Force sprang into action. The couple were captured on May 9 in Evansville, Indiana. Vicky White died the next day, the result of a self-inflicted gunshot would to the head that happened when they were stopped by law enforcement.
This is the story of the escape as shared by Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton, the man responsible for seeing that Casey White was recaptured, and that Vicky White was returned to Alabama to face the consequences of her actions.
A Resilient Life: A Cop’s Journey in Pursuit of Purpose
David Berez had a secret. He put up a brave face — as many cops and first responders do — but for two decades he carefully hid the emotional toll of his job, even from those closest to him. “A Resilient Life” follows his story of being driven into darkness, his desperate search for the light and how he discovered his second chance for happiness and fulfillment. Through his compelling and emotional story Berez helps readers understand the challenges of policing and the struggle we all face to remain resilient in the face of life’s adversity.
Leadership in Law Enforcement
This book by William R. Fraass offers proven lessons from those who have excelled in the law enforcement profession to help enhance an individual’s leadership ability. It also provides philosophies law enforcement agencies can use to develop cultures that will help produce the future leaders of their organizations.
Common Sense Police Supervision: Practical Tips for the First-Line Leader
This practical hands-on book by Gerald Garner us packed full of step-by-step guidelines and suggestions for carrying out a multitude of leadership tasks and responsibilities focused on a changing workforce that serves an equally changing and complex society. While emphasizing the real value of common sense in good leadership practices, the author furnishes the aspiring novice or veteran police supervisor with specific advice on how to train, counsel, inspect, discipline, and assess the performance of his or her subordinates.
The Real Greatest Show on Earth
This book by Bert Maverick Gonzalez offers an authentic glimpse into the daily experiences of police officers, capturing moments of terror, tragedy and unexpected humor through the eyes of a veteran cop. It eschews the typical sensationalized or fictionalized portrayals of law enforcement for a raw, unfiltered look at the harsh realities and psychological impacts of street-level policing. Additionally, it highlights the lighter, human side of policing, including the occasions when officers receive gratitude and encounter situations that are unexpectedly comical.
Reconsidering Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement: Practices, Policies, and Paradigms
This book by Dr. Gene Ira Katz provides a comprehensive analysis of the trends and practices in American criminal justice and law enforcement, examining their cultural and legislative bases. It proposes sensible, balanced solutions to improve fairness and equality within the legal system. Additionally, the book suggests various effective strategies to better police-community relations.
The Art Of Strategic Communication: A Police Chief’s Guide To Mastering Soundbites, Storytelling, And Community Engagement
In the current fast-paced world, where communication is rapid and demands for police accountability are high, strategic communication is essential. Properly executed, it enhances transparency, fosters trust, and promotes community engagement. Chief Christopher Cook leverages over thirty years of experience to offer practical, actionable strategies for effective communication that readers can apply immediately.
Guardians of the Midwest: Wisconsin Officers’ Journey Through the Ranks
“Wisconsin Officers’ Journey Through the Ranks” is a compelling anthology that showcases the courage, dedication, and sacrifices of law enforcement officers. This collection not only narrates their experiences but also offers inspiration and valuable lessons from their careers. As readers explore these stories, they are invited to connect with the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Family and find enrichment in the experiences of those who have previously navigated this path.
Investigating America’s Most Notorious Strip Club: The FBI, The Gold Club, and the Mafia
Retired FBI Special Agent Mark Sewell recounts his 1997 investigation into mafia associate Steve Kaplan’s Atlanta strip club, a major money maker for the Gambino Crime Family. The investigation led to the implication of a Gambino Captain, police officers, strippers, and prominent professional athletes. The high-profile 2001 trial, covered extensively by national media, became the FBI’s most significant financial victory against organized crime.
Looking for Trouble
Maurice Hicks’s incredible journey from an rookie to a battle-hardened police veteran is a testament to extraordinary courage and grit. Over a 20-year career, he conducted covert operations, led an FBI Homicide Task Force, and confronted drug kingpins, murderers and serial rapists. Rising to the rank of Lieutenant, Maurice’s action-packed career in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County forced him to confront his past while battling some of the most dangerous criminals in the region.
In My DNA: My Career Investigating Your Worst Nightmares
“In My DNA: My Career Investigating Your Worst Nightmares” by Lindsey Wade delves into her twenty-one-year career in law enforcement, driven by a passion to seek justice for women and girls. Follow Detective Wade as she tackles some of Tacoma’s most harrowing sex crimes and homicides, utilizing groundbreaking DNA evidence to reopen cold cases and bringing relentless determination to solving Jennifer Bastian’s murder, among others.
A Lifetime of Service
A Lifetime of Service provides an honest and thought-provoking look at the principles that shape effective leadership. Blending personal anecdotes with practical advice, this book serves as both a memoir and a guide for those looking to refine their leadership journey. Through engaging storytelling, Wayne South highlights the importance of ethics, honesty, respect, humility, and integrity in achieving professional and personal success. Readers are encouraged to reflect on these values and explore how they can be integrated into their own lives.
Atlanta Cowboy: The Fight for Vine City
In the late 1980s, Crack Cocaine blanketed the streets of Atlanta. Vine City was ground zero for the street-level illegal drug trade. Law enforcement was caught by surprise as neighborhood after neighborhood was decimated by the collateral damage of drug consumption and sales. In the midst of it all, a beat cop in northwest Atlanta fought for the community he loved.
Law Dogs II: More Great Cops in American History
“Law Dogs II: More Great Cops in American History is a collection of stories of incredible bravery, arduous pursuers, dogged investigators, and epic gun battles long forgotten by history, but worth remembering. You will even read of citizens who have taken a stand against heavily armed criminals and won, as well as a collection of police heroes the author has not only interviewed, but worked the beat with, all of whom are American Law Dogs doing their best as they face the worst.”