Breaking Rank

Very informative. Moving. I really enjoyed this book and recommend reading it. I am so proud to have this book in my collection.

This book is good on two levels. On one level, it includes excellent story-telling and is just plain interesting to read as a memoir. From beat cop in the dysfunctional San Diego police department to Seattle police chief overseeing the security at the 1999 WTO summit (remember, the protestors won?) this is a page turner.On a more important level, Norm Stamper provides a lot of valuable insights into police reform. Those cities fortunate enough to have a citizen's review board might take inspiration from Stamper's mostly progressive vision. Those cities without review boards might take inspiration to create some fast from Stamper's chapter-by-chapter accounting of abuse, misuse and incompetent leadership in policing.The one rock Stamper leaves un-turned is, what is the root of crime in society? Progressive reforms would lead to more effective, less Gestapo management of crime. But folks will have to ask themselves about a society that produces so much physical and sexual violence in the first place...

Nothing to dislike. Finally White America can realize Black Americans suffering.

I met Mr. Stamper once briefly about 11 years ago in San Diego at a conference and decided to learn more about an interesting, knowledgeable, and experienced police professional. I'm glad he wrote this book and I recommend it.Like Norm (I can't imagine anybody calling him anything else) I retired after three decades of professional policing. I began in 1970.The three decades from 1970 to 2000 were tumultuously (yes, tumultuously) productive in the genuine professionalization of American policing. The profession is still blue collar shift work in many ways in most places, according to my own reading and experience, but it shouldn't be and seems to be heading in the right direction in many places. Myself, I am a proponent of the problem oriented approach. There are other approaches, and that is what makes for genuine professionalization -- vigorous (and tumultuous sometimes) effort.Norm's personality is on display in his book, as well as his expertise. This is a warm book with plenty of humor, as well as a serious book with the kind of advocacy backed up by research and experience that we need from those of us who are serious about the improvement of American policing.One big negative but constructive criticism: no index.One lesser criticism: the chapter on "Undercover." Norm tells a compelling and true story in that chapter, however, having some experience in "UC" work myself, I would have written from the point of view of management analysis of cost-benefit. Most undercover work is very expensive and produces not very much genuine product. I distinguish here between process and product. UC might produce lots of arrests, but it seldom solves any problems. Process vs. permanent results. It should be used sparingly and with well-thought-out direction.There is nothing new in Norm's book in terms of breaking new ground, but it is unique anyway, in that it is an easy read for those who should read it -- public administrators and elected officials -- who don't normally (no pun intended) have the time to do a lot of research and don't know much about what goes on within their very expensive and mysterious public safety services.Norm -- Mr. Stamper -- hits the right nails on their heads. What Joseph Wambaugh does for policing in some of his fiction, Norm does here in a popular, non-fiction way.

Every citizen NEEDS to learn their rights.. especially after reading this book and to be honest learning your rights may not be enough.Police are the state's revenue generators. Police are the manifestation of what Slave Catchers were in the turn of the century of the late 1800's. Police of today often have reckless abandon when policing the average American citizen. It is YOUR word against theirs and who will people in a jury believe - The officer wearing a badge or the black person who refutes their actions?This book will help you understand what police are capable of and simple ways you can protect yourself. You pretty much need to comply, not give them any reason to execute you, BUT remember each and every moment so you can "hopefully" gain some recourse in the end. The advantage many have today is that we have the ability to use our camera phones. When you expose the corruption these officers exhibit it shines a bright light on them and their superiors and locale bringing attention they do NOT want. Right now, that's our only recourse. That or knowing someone high in power.But the main objective is to not get on police radar period. Do not do anything to stand out, to bring attention to yourself. This is what they are looking for.

Enjoyed reading this book. On the plus side, it was a good read and put a lot of needed "flesh" on the bones of what we are hearing nearly every day from Ferguson; letting us know the contextual side and also from the police point of view. One of my police officer friends dismissed it out of hand as the product of a Liberal Mind. As the book goes on, that characterization of way too simplistic.On the downside it was somewhat long and would have benefitted with a bit more organization. I felt as if the author at times was reciting a bunch of facts rather than telling a story. Still though a worthwhile read, especially in time like these..

It's fascinating to see just about every current hot topic in policing and city government discussed in this fascinating book from several years back. Seattle's former police chief gives the inside story on police reform and why much of it has failed. Well-written.

I thought the book was very interesting. Mr. Stamper's observations about the politics and difficulties of fostering community policing were interesting and disheartening when looking at present-day law enforcement trends. My biggest difficulty with the book is the title. Why he chose the subtitle it as an "Expose of the Dark Side of American Policing" is quite beyond me. I view it as a historical account of policing in the late 20th century, that is all.

Very insightful, and when we look at policing today, it is plain to identify the manners of policing described in his story.Recommended to all.

Fricking good

A phenomenally honest book from an ex cop honest enough to tell it as it really is.

What a great read, The content however does not surprise me.

Not bad read