Crime and criminology Books

Book SynopsisDavid L. Hudson Jr. is an award-winning professor at Belmont University College of Law, USA, where he teaches constitutional law and First Amendment law.Trade ReviewThis nicely curated compilation presents its well-chosen selections in a single, convenient, highly accessible volume and is recommended for collections serving advanced secondary-level students and university undergraduates. * Booklist *Table of ContentsTable of Contents Readers Guide to Related Documents and Sidebars Preface Introduction 1. Early History of the Death Penalty Document 1. John Stuart Mill Defends Capital Punishment (1868) Document 2. Supreme Court Finds Death by Shooting is Not Cruel and Unusual Punishment - Wilkerson v. Utah (1879) Document 3. Supreme Court Rules Electrocution Is Not Cruel and Unusual Punishment - In Re Kemmler (1890) Document 4. Supreme Court Approves Death by Hanging - Holden v. Minnesota (1890) Document 5. Supreme Court Fails to Find Racial Discrimination in Mississippi All-White Juries - Williams v. Mississippi (1898) Document 6. Supreme Court Rejects Death Row Inmate’s Due Process Challenge - Davis v. Burke (1900) 2. Rising Usage of—and Opposition to—the Death Penalty Document 7. Supreme Court Rejects Pink Franklin’s Constitutional Challenges to Jim Crow Law - Franklin v. South Carolina (1910) Document 8. Supreme Court Rules Criminal Defendants Have the Constitutional Right to Counsel - Powell v. Alabama (1932) Document 9. Supreme Court Confirms Constitutional Protections for Suspects in Capital Crimes - Watts v. Indiana (1949) Document 10. Supreme Court Reverses Death Sentence on Perjury Grounds - Alcorta v. Texas (1957) Document 11. Judge Goldberg Issues Dissent Questioning the Constitutionality of the Death Penalty - Rudolph v. Alabama (1963) Document 12. Supreme Court Reverses Death Sentence on “Knowing Waiver of Rights” Grounds - Boykin v. Alabama (1969) 3. The Supreme Court Abolishes—and Subsequently Reinstates—Capital Punishment Document 13. Justice Stewart Questions Arbitrary Quality of Death Penalty Sentences - Furman v. Georgia (1972) Document 14. President Nixon Reaffirms Support for the Death Penalty (1973) Document 15. Supreme Court Finds Death Penalty Constitutional Four Years after Furman – Gregg v. Georgia (1976) Document 16. Supreme Court Allows Convicted Murderer to Pursue His Own Death Via Capital Punishment - Gilmore v. Utah (1976) Document 17. Supreme Court Rules Defendant Convicted of Rape Cannot Be Executed - Coker v. Georgia (1977) Document 18. Supreme Court Invalidates Ohio’s Death Penalty Law on “Mitigating Evidence” Grounds - Lockett v. Ohio (1978) Document 19. Supreme Court Strikes Down Death Sentence of 16-Year-Old on Mitigating Evidence Grounds - Eddings v. Oklahoma (1982) Document 20: Supreme Court Sets Standard for Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claims in Death Penalty Cases - Strickland v. Washington (1984) Document 21. Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence Despite Improper Prosecutorial Conduct - Darden v. Wainwright (1986) Document 22. Supreme Court Rules the Insane Cannot Be Executed - Ford v. Wainwright (1986) Document 23. Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence Despite Evidence of Racial Discrimination in Capital Punishment Sentencing - McCleskey v. Kemp (1987) Document 24. One Death Row Inmate Can’t Appeal on Behalf of Another Death Row Inmate, Supreme Court Finds - Whitmore v. Arkansas (1990) 4. Victims’ Rights, Moratoriums, and Other Issues Document 25. Supreme Court Rules Victim Impact Evidence is Permissible in Sentencing Phase of Death Penalty Case - Payne v. Tennessee (1991) Document 26. Law Professor Testifies in Support of the Death Penalty (1993) Document 27. The Subject of the Death Row Documentary Thin Blue Line Tells His Story to Congress (1993) Document 28. Justice Blackmun Reverses Course, Says Capital Punishment is Unconstitutional - Callins v. Collins (1994) Document 29. American Bar Association Calls for a Moratorium on Death Penalty (1997) Document 30. Televangelist Pat Robertson Calls for “Justice Tempered with Mercy” (2000) Document 31. President Clinton Issues a Stay of Execution, Citing Racial Disparities in Capital Punishment Cases (2000) Document 32. Legal Expert Tells Congress the Federal Death Penalty System is Discriminatory (2001) 5. The Capital Punishment Debate Intensifies as Courts Narrow Its Application Document 33. Supreme Court Rules Intellectually Disabled Defendants Can’t Be Executed - Atkins v. Virginia (2002) Document 34. Attorney Barry Scheck Calls for more DNA Testing in Death Penalty Cases (2002) Document 35. Illinois Governor Ryan Commutes Sentences of Death Row Inmates to Life in Prison (2003) Document 36. Supreme Court Reverses Death Sentence, Citing Prosecutor’s Racially Discriminatory Use of Jury Strikes - Miller-El v. Dretke (2005) Document 37. Supreme Court Rules Those Who Commit Murder as Juveniles Cannot Be Executed - Roper v. Simmons (2005) Document 38. Opponent of Death Penalty Discusses Cultural Aspects of Capital Punishment (2005) Document 39. Legal Scholar John McAdams Testifies in Support of Capital Punishment (2006) Document 40. Heritage Foundation Analyst Testifies in Support of Death Penalty (2007) Document 41. Activist Bryan Stevenson Shines Light on Legal Representation Issues in Death Penalty Cases (2008) Document 42. Supreme Court Rules Child Rape Not a Capital Offense - Kennedy v. Louisiana (2008) Document 43. Justice John Paul Stevens Says Long Delays in Carrying Out Executions Are Cruel - Thompson v. McNeil (2009) Chapter 6: States Lead the Way in Opposing Capital Punishment Document 44. Catholic Theologians Issue Statement Opposing Death Penalty (2011) Document 45. Former Death Row Inmate Testifies Before Congress about His Experiences (2012) Document 46. Governor Inslee Issues Moratorium on Death Penalty in Washington State (2014) Document 47. Supreme Court Orders New Trial for Death Row Inmate Who Received Ineffective Legal Counsel - Hinton v. Alabama (2014) Document 48. Supreme Court Strikes Down Florida Death Penalty Law Permitting Execution of Defendants with Intellectual Disabilities - Hall v. Florida (2014) Document 49. Justice Breyer Questions Constitutionality of Death Penalty in Landmark Dissent - Glossip v. Gross (2015) Document 50. Justice Breyer Criticizes Geographic Disparities and Long Delays in Death Penalty Cases – Jordan v. Mississippi (2018) Document 51. Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order Ending Capital Punishment in California (2019) Document 52. Supreme Court Rejects Missouri Inmate’s Claim that Lethal Injection Violates the Eighth Amendment - Bucklew v. Precythe (2019) Document 53. Innocence Project Policy Director Urges Abolition of the Death Penalty (2021) Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisDrew D. Gray is Senior Lecturer in the History of Crime at the University of Northampton, UK. He is the author of Crime, Prosecution and Social Relations (2009) and London's Shadows (2010).Trade Review[Gray] has written an admirable textbook drawing on his own experience in different archives and combining this with an excellent ability to condense the published material and to make shrewd judgments … This will prove to be a valuable text, especially given the accompanying website materials. * Journal of Modern History *A well-written, accessible book, providing an excellent introduction to the field of the history of crime and punishment. * Law, Crime and History *Gray’s book makes an immensely valuable contribution to the history of crime, not least since he brings it to life as the vibrant field that it is, characterized not only by dramatic tales from the archives, but also by conceptual nuance, empirical detail, and methodological dispute … Drew Gray has certainly set a standard that subsequent work will be hard pressed to match. * Journal of British Studies *In the last 40 years or so, the field of criminal justice history has expanded greatly through multiple disciplines, the subject generally comprising crime, legal and judicial procedures, police, and punishment. Researchers today can benefit from the fact that many sources are online. Even the most diligent of scholars can hardly keep up with recent publications; for this reason, comprehensive books are especially welcome. Gray (history of crime, Univ. of Northampton, UK) has done an admirable job covering the development of the modern criminal justice system in England. He begins with crime in its various manifestations: crime numbers, media and crime, gender considerations, juvenile crime, changing attitudes toward violence, and much more. In the second part of the book, he supplies a chronological account of the evolution of the judicial system, policing, and changing modes of punishment. At every stage, the author mentions specific historians and schools of interpretation, from Whig history to history from below and more, while always demonstrating that a solid understanding of the historical context is crucial. The book is enlightening, well documented, and clearly written. It should be in all libraries of higher education. Summing Up: Essential. All academic levels/libraries. * CHOICE *A valuable account of developments over the period. * Police History Society *Drew Gray’s survey of the history of crime and punishment in England from c. 1660 – 1914 provides an excellent overview of the current state of play in this fast growing area of historical research. Whilst the book is aimed primarily at undergraduates, it has much to offer for students more broadly interested in social history as well as those from cognate disciplines such as criminology and the social sciences. The book is presented in two sections, the first dealing with central themes in the historiography (ranging across historical media, gender, violence, property crime, juvenile offending and penality); the second providing an overview of the criminal justice system, guiding the reader step by step through the stages of the evolving criminal justice system. I think Gray does this very well. His approach is extremely clear and accessible without losing the attention to detail and grasp of argument and approach that a really good survey demands. I have no doubt that this book will become essential reading for students of crime history. * Heather Shore, Reader in History, Leeds Beckett University *Drew Gray is one of the most creative and productive members of the newest generation of criminal justice historians in Britain. That creativity and energy are on full display in this uniquely ambitious, detailed and wide-ranging survey of the now vast literature on the history of crime and official responses to it in England. Every scholar will find something to engage with in this book, and every teacher will find it an excellent introduction to the subject for their students. * Simon Devereaux, University of Victoria, Canada *Drew Gray has provided a much needed new survey of the rapidly evolving field of English criminal justice history. He offers a balanced and nuanced reading of the older debates that launched the subject forty years ago, and he charts promising paths for future research. His book is particularly strong on topics that other texts have neglected -- juvenile crime, the role of magistrates in summary justice, mundane criminality. He displays impressive mastery of the secondary literature even as he builds upon his own deep understanding of justice in the period. His book will provide a valuable introduction to students new to the subject and a useful overview to scholars who work in this area. * Randall McGowen, University of Oregon *Table of ContentsSection One: Key themes in the history of crime 1. Introduction: Methods, themes and debates in the history of crime 2. Media and Crime 3. Violence: the decline of homicide and a growing intolerance towards assault 4. The nature of property crime: highway robbery, burglary and petty theft 5. The underlying impetuses to commit property crime 6. Gender & crime in the criminal justice system: women as victims 7. Gender & Crime: women as perpetrators of crime 8. Juvenile crime: from artful dodger to reformatory boy Section Two: The evolution & development of the English Criminal Justice System 9. From parlour to police court: The role of the JP and the emergence of the modern magistrate 10. Dogberry to detectives: Policing from amateurs to professionals 11. Removing the victim? The changing nature of prosecution in the Courts in England 12. The decline and fall of the ‘Bloody code’: the changing nature of punishment policy in the long eighteenth century 13. The rise and fall of incarceration 14. Conclusions and suggestions for future research Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis handy reference takes a new approach to making everyday criminal justice terms accessible, and presents common misconceptions for selected terms, along with additional relevant information to clarify a term’s use or derivation.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe National Rifle Association (NRA) is an important actor in the American gun debate. While popular explanations for the group’s influence often focus on the NRA’s lobbying and campaign donations, it receives lesser attention for the mass mobilization efforts that make these political endeavours possible.On Target explores why the NRA is so influential and how we can understand the group’s impact on firearms policy in the United States. The book looks at how the NRA both draws upon and shapes historical meta-narratives regarding the role of firearms in America’s national identity and how this is part of a larger effort to expand the community of gun owners. Noah S. Schwartz demonstrates how the NRA portrays a vision of the past through events such as its annual meeting; communications such as American Rifleman magazine and NRA TV; and points of contact including the National Firearms Museum.Based on fieldwork in Indiana and Vi

Read more less

Book SynopsisUnderstanding White-Collar Crime develops the concept of convenience as the main explanation for crime occurrence. Examining all three dimensions of crime—economic, organizational, and behavioral—the book argues that when white-collar crime becomes less convenient, crime rates will go down. By applying convenience theory to an empirical sample of convicted white-collar criminals, the text teaches criminal justice students and ethics and compliance practitioners to identify and understand how opportunity affects real-world criminal situations. Internal investigations of white-collar crime are discussed, and corporate social responsibility against white-collar crime is emphasized.Understanding White-Collar Crime: A Convenience Perspective examines not only the theories behind white-collar crime, but also explores methods used in criminal justice investigations into corporate fraud, and emphasizes the importance of corporate social responsibility inTable of ContentsIntroduction. Convenience Theory of White-Collar Crime. Economical Dimensions in Convenience Theory. Organizational Dimensions in Convenience Theory. Behavioral Dimensions in Convenience Theory. Integrated Approach to Convenience Theory. Empirical Study of White Collar Criminals. Internal White-Collar Crime Investigations. Corporate Social Responsibility. Conclusion. References.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAP Simester is Edmund-Davies Professor of Criminal Law at King's College London, UK, and Amaladass Professor of Criminal Justice at the National University of Singapore.

Read more less

Book SynopsisUntil recently, gender stereotypes have shaped the ways in which society views female offenders, often as individuals incapable of criminal activity or extreme violence. When Women Offend: Crime and the Female Perpetrator sheds light on the complex world of female offending, demonstrating women’s capability to behave aggressively and violate gender expectations.Readers learn about the influence of gender stereotypes on perceptions of female offending, as well as about common myths associated with female deviance. They are introduced to criminological theory and explore psychological, developmental, sociological, and biological theories through a feminist lens. Dedicated chapters outline various types of female offending, from serial killing to Munchausen by proxy, filicide to sex offending, domestic homicide to terrorism, and more. Each of these chapters includes real-life cases and an exploration of motives and social factors. The book features excerpts from interviews with female offenders.When Women Offend is ideal for courses in criminology and criminological theory, especially those focused on the female offender.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAnother Way…Choosing to Change: Participant's Handbook supports individuals as they progress through a facilitator-led, strengths-based, solution-focused batterer intervention program. The handbook presents participants with an intentional and strategic collection of questions and exercises designed to support transformational learning and promote empathy building.This unique curriculum combines evidence-based clinical practices with adult learning principles to promote changes in the thoughts, feelings, and actions of participants. It educates participants on what constitutes abusive behaviors, encourages introspection, promotes personal responsibility for abusive behaviors, and teaches non-violent conflict resolution.The handbook progresses in tandem with the 52-week curriculum, providing participants with weekly interventions and actionable goals. Coping skills, spiritual and emotional healing, relationship management, parenting, socialization, recovery from trauma, mindfulness and relaxation, and personal growth, among a number of other topics, are explored in a group setting, allowing for meaningful discussion and support.Another Way…Choosing to Change is an exemplary curriculum to rehabilitate domestic violence offenders and, in doing so, increase safety and empathy for victims of violence.

Read more less

Book SynopsisUntil I Can Be Sure is a memoir of how a one man set aside his prior beliefs – and pressure from the public and politicians – to take on a culture and a system of punishment that Americans long have grappled with, even as much of the rest of the civilized world has consigned it to the dustbin of history.Trade ReviewThis book is not only about the death penalty. It is a chronicle that teaches us about integrity, leadership, growth, and the struggle to do the right thing. Those who care to listen will be touched by the lessons from Governor Ryan’s journey for decades to come. He leads us on. -- Michael L. Radelet, University of ColoradoGovernor Ryan’s actions are a pure beacon of light in a dark era in our nation. His is a resounding voice of conscience in a time of corrosive political maneuvering. As for Gov. Ryan’s commutation of the sentences of those on death row - I see this as his most inspiring act of moral courage. He could easily have left the condemned languishing in legal limbo, but he followed his moral stance for a moratorium through to a righteous conclusion for those remaining on death row, freeing them from the anguish and terror of death at the hands of the state. Gov. Ryan’s act of moral integrity triumphed over political expediency and has illumined a path for our nation. May we all walk in his light. -- Sister Helen Prejean, Author of "Dead Man Walking"George Ryan’s courageous act made our dreams reality. It was, in my view, one of the single most impactful events in propelling the abolition movement forward, making possible the successes we've seen ever since. -- Mike Farrell, best known as 'BJ Hunnicutt' of television's legendary "M*A*S*H", President of Dealth Penalty Focus, Author of “Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist” and “Of Mule and Man”Illinois put innocence on the map and that is still the most influential issue for many people when it comes to the death penalty. -- Richard Dieter, former Executive Director, Death Penalty Information CenterUnder Governor George Ryan's leadership, Illinois consolidated the forces that diminished the death penalty’s use, emboldening the abolition of the death penalty in other states, other governors' moratoria on executions, and prosecutors' decisions across the country to stop using the punishment. -- James Liebman, Professor, Columbia Law School, Author of "The Wrong Carlos: Anatomy of a Wrongful Execution"

Read more less

Book SynopsisThere are over 1,300 parole officers (POs) employed in Canada's federal correctional system by the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). There are two categories of parole officers within CSC: Institutional Parole Officers (IPOs), who work in correctional institutions and are responsible for preparing prisoners for release into the community; and Community Parole Officers (CPOs), who work in the community supervising and assisting criminalized persons. Despite their different occupational duties, both IPOs and CPOs play a significant role in the potential rehabilitation and desistance of former prisoners (USJE, 2019). A recent survey (commissioned by the USJE) found that parole officers face a range of occupational challenges, many of which have been exacerbated by budgetary and policy shifts in recent years. These challenges include heightened risk of burnout due to increased workloads, a lack of support and resources required to effectively perform the job, and an organizational culture of fear and harassment in the CSC, all of which contribute to mental health challenges for POs (USJE, 2019). The nature of their jobs expose parole officers, both those in the community and those in institutions, to a variety of potential stresses and potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs), however little academic research has been conducted about the exact experiences of IPOs and CPOs including how they are exposed to PPTE and the forms in which PPTE manifests. Despite their significant public safety role and potential exposure to occupational stress and PPTEs, IPOs and CPOs are understudied groups with regards to mental health and well-being, particularly in Canada. Results from this project will advance the scholarly knowledge on an understudied sub-population of public safety personnel and provide evidence-based recommendations for meeting the mental health needs of Canadian parole officers, specifically, and correctional workers, broadly.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Origins of the Criminal Justice System provides an introduction to the historical roots of modern-day Western systems of justice. The text addresses different aspects of criminal justice, including chapters on police, courts, corrections, and trends in crime and punishment, as well as chapters that examine the relationship between justice practices and select communities, defined by gender, age, class, and race. Each chapter begins in Ancient Antiquity before progressing to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Age of Enlightenment, and concluding in the Modern Era. Readers are introduced to the social and political factors evident at the time, the structure and function of each era-specific system, and the execution and consequences of early policies and procedures. The book provides an important and detailed examination of the evolution of justice practices, tying these temporal threads to modern systems, and offers the readership the opportunity to observe institutions across the millennia. Whether it is jury trials in Ancient Greece or ordeals in the Dark Ages, the reader is invited to traverse the world of criminal justice practices, replete with eras of inspiration as well as intolerance and cruelty.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Origins of the Criminal Justice System provides an introduction to the historical roots of modern-day Western systems of justice. The text addresses different aspects of criminal justice, including chapters on police, courts, corrections, and trends in crime and punishment, as well as chapters that examine the relationship between justice practices and select communities, defined by gender, age, class, and race. Each chapter begins in Ancient Antiquity before progressing to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Age of Enlightenment, and concluding in the Modern Era. Readers are introduced to the social and political factors evident at the time, the structure and function of each era-specific system, and the execution and consequences of early policies and procedures. The book provides an important and detailed examination of the evolution of justice practices, tying these temporal threads to modern systems, and offers the readership the opportunity to observe institutions across the millennia. Whether it is jury trials in Ancient Greece or ordeals in the Dark Ages, the reader is invited to traverse the world of criminal justice practices, replete with eras of inspiration as well as intolerance and cruelty.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMotivated by recent instances of vigilantism that have captured media attention, such as the murder of Ahmaud Arbery and the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, Drs. Castle and Meade examine vigilantism through historical contexts, popular culture, and modern technologies. From vigilantes' presence in the frontier and early states, to their contemporary manifestations in Neighborhood Watch and digital cybersleuthing, Castle and Meade characterize the evolution of the vigilante narrative and their purpose of social group control.This book considers the impacts of vigilante mythology in American pop culture, with special emphasis on from the early Western vigilante like Dirty Harry and Death Wish to comic book superheroes, like Batman. How do these fictional characters who down and murdering criminals on film impact cultural messages about crime, justice, and vengeance. Castle and Meade further explore the impact of digital technologies and novel viruses on vigilantism. Digilantes administer their own brand of extralegal justice online by hunting pedophiles, and TikTok cybersleuths harass random strangers. The authors also coin a new term, viralantes, to describe virus vigilantes who police and punish the frontiers of pandemic lockdowns and restrictions. This seminal work on vigilantism blends the scholarly and popular in characterizing the modern vigilante.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBased on personal experience and academic research, Tom Baker shines a light on the dark side of American policing by examining misconduct and corruption as occupational and workplace forms of deviance. This textbook outlines patterns of rule breaking and criminal behavior and provides strategies for management and control. This book offers a critical analysis of American policing in the twenty-first century. It is appropriate for undergraduate and graduate courses in criminal justice, criminology, justice studies, sociology, and public administration.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBased on personal experience and academic research, Tom Baker shines a light on the dark side of American policing by examining misconduct and corruption as occupational and workplace forms of deviance. This textbook outlines patterns of rule breaking and criminal behavior and provides strategies for management and control. This book offers a critical analysis of American policing in the twenty-first century. It is appropriate for undergraduate and graduate courses in criminal justice, criminology, justice studies, sociology, and public administration.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisTaffany Lim, Ed.D., is the Deputy Director of the University of California Los Angeles Prison Education Programs. Lim previously served as the Associate Director for the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, where she developed and managed PBI's signature Community Policing Training Program. She has spent more than 25 years working with public sector and nonprofit organizations, including United Way, KCET Public Television, the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health, and the City of Pasadena's Public Health Department. Lim specializes in program development, project management, planning, training, and facilitation. Learn more at hopethroughhighered.com.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Insane, journalist Alisa Roth goes deep inside the criminal justice system to reveal how America's tough-on-crime policies have transformed it into a warehouse for people with mental illness, one where prisoners are denied proper treatment, abused, and punished in ways that make them sicker. She takes readers from the overwhelmed mental health units of the Los Angeles County Jail to the women's prisons of Oklahoma, which have one of the fastest-growing populations of people with mental illness in the country. She introduces us to ordinary people whose untreated mental illnesses drive them repeatedly into the justice system-and in some cases, to their deaths. Investigating police departments, courts, jails, and emergency health care facilities across the country, Roth provides the first nationwide account of this mental health crisis-and uncovers the hidden forces behind it. She also surveys a range of efforts to address the problem, making the case for a large-scale overhaul of mental health care and criminal justice. Insane is a galvanizing wake-up call for criminal justice reformers and anyone concerned about the plight of our most vulnerable.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCriminal (In)Justice: A Critical Introduction takes an unflinching look at the American criminal justice system and the social forces that affect the implementation of justice. Author Aaron Fichtelberg uses a unique, critical perspective to introduce readers to criminal justice and encourages them to look closer at the intersection of race, class, gender, and inequality in the criminal justice system. Covering each of the foundational areas of the criminal justice system—policing, courts, and corrections—this book takes an in-depth look at the influence of inequality, making it ideal for those who want to critically assess and understand the American criminal justice system.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe police in America belong to the people,not the other way around. Yet millions of Americans experience their cops as racist, brutal, and trigger-happy: an overly aggressive, militarized enemy of the people. For their part, today's officers feel they are under siege,misunderstood, unfairly criticized, and scapegoated for society's ills. Is there a fix? Former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper believes there is.Policing is in crisis. The last decade has witnessed a vast increase in police aggression, misconduct, and militarization, along with a corresponding reduction in transparency and accountability. It is not just noticeable in African American and other minority communities,where there have been a series of high-profile tragedies,but in towns and cities across the country. Racism,from raw, individualized versions to insidious systemic examples,appears to be on the rise in our police departments. Overall, our police officers have grown more and more alienated from the people they've been hired to serve.In To Protect and Serve , Stamper delivers a revolutionary new model for American law enforcement: the community-based police department. It calls for fundamental changes in the federal government's role in local policing as well as citizen participation in all aspects of police operations: policymaking, program development, crime fighting and service delivery, entry-level and ongoing education and training, oversight of police conduct, and- especially relevant to today's challenges- joint community-police crisis management. Nothing will ever change until the system itself is radically restructured, and here Stamper shows us how.Trade Review"This is a book America has been waiting for--a top cop's searing expose of corrupt, bigoted, brutal and trigger-happy policing in America and how to fix a broken system. It's the inside story, an MRI from former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper, showing good cops taking risks to protect us all, to cities balancing the books with police fines, militarization run amok, and a police culture off the rails. Now, says Stamper, the mindset behind the badge has to focus first on public safety, crime, and collaboration not confrontation, with communities asserting control and clear federal standards to insure accountability. And he shows how it can be done." --Hedrick Smith, author of Who Stole the American Dream? and Executive Editor of Reclaim The American Dream "Most of the nation's approximately 18,000 police departments receive scathing criticism from one of their own... A vivid, well-written, vitally important book." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review "A blistering structural critique of U.S. law enforcement... By emphasizing institutional change, Stamper makes a brave attempt to answer the common question (one asked whenever another unarmed African-American is shot by police), where are all the good cops?" --Publishers Weekly

Read more less