From Todd Douglas:
NOW AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK
From Praeger Publishers (Imprint of ABC-CLIO)
Paperback edition from Bloomsbury Publishing
An unprecedented look at the evolution of American police from filling their intended role as peacekeepers and guardians of citizen rights to calling themselves—and acting primarily as—"law enforcement officers."
As accusations of police misconduct and racial bias increasingly dominate the media, The Police in a Free Society: Safeguarding Rights While Enforcing the Law takes an unflinching look at the police, the communities they serve, and the politicians who direct them. Author Todd Douglas, a veteran state police commander, exposes the occurrences of police misconduct and incompetence as well as incidences of charlatans who intentionally inflame racial tensions with the police for their own political or financial gain.
Readers will better understand what police officers must deal with on a daily basis, grasp the role of lawmakers in keeping faith with the public, and appreciate the tremendous challenges that police leaders face in attempting to reverse recent trends and shore up public confidence in police officers. This is a rare glimpse into the often-ugly reality of what happens on America's streets, with insights gained from the perspective of the cop and suspect alike.
Features
NOW AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK
From Praeger Publishers (Imprint of ABC-CLIO)
Paperback edition from Bloomsbury Publishing
An unprecedented look at the evolution of American police from filling their intended role as peacekeepers and guardians of citizen rights to calling themselves—and acting primarily as—"law enforcement officers."
As accusations of police misconduct and racial bias increasingly dominate the media, The Police in a Free Society: Safeguarding Rights While Enforcing the Law takes an unflinching look at the police, the communities they serve, and the politicians who direct them. Author Todd Douglas, a veteran state police commander, exposes the occurrences of police misconduct and incompetence as well as incidences of charlatans who intentionally inflame racial tensions with the police for their own political or financial gain.
Readers will better understand what police officers must deal with on a daily basis, grasp the role of lawmakers in keeping faith with the public, and appreciate the tremendous challenges that police leaders face in attempting to reverse recent trends and shore up public confidence in police officers. This is a rare glimpse into the often-ugly reality of what happens on America's streets, with insights gained from the perspective of the cop and suspect alike.
Features
- Reveals realities and myths about the police in America, their role in our society, and what can—and can't—be done to improve relations and public confidence in our police
- Provides an unbiased examination that presents BOTH sides of the issues and represents the perspectives and responsibilities of the police alongside those of the citizens they serve
- Enables readers to see the evolution of police over time and grasp the various positions in the debate about the proper role of police in modern society
- Presents solutions to the widespread problem of eroding respect for police agencies, discussing the issue in the broader context of how government and culture play key roles in ensuring that police agencies are competent and trustworthy
Praise for The Police in a Free Society:
"We need more books like this, that provide an insider perspective on policing, by experienced and responsible critics of current police practices."
Alan Dershowitz, Professor Emeritus, Harvard Law School; Author of Taking the Stand: My Life in the Law
"Balancing society's need for police protection and the constitutional rights of citizens is one of the most pressing political issues of our time. Todd Douglas does an excellent job covering both topics in a way that informs the reader without lecturing, bringing history and the law together in a way few others have done. I highly recommend The Police in a Free Society to those new to the subject, as well as to those already schooled in policing and the Constitution."
William A. Jacobson, Esq., Clinical Professor of Law, Cornell Law School
"At last a real policeman, experienced in every aspect of a job that demands an enormous variety of skills―how to shoot straight and when to use force, making split second decisions, thinking about the long-term consequences of police action, remaining calm in the face of violence or abuse―has taken to the pen, demonstrating that it is greater than the sword. This is a welcome book that offers much sage advice to police officers, their managers, and the politicians who exploit them. More important, Douglas, drawing on his personal experience and his mastery of current police research, paints a balanced, reasoned assessment of the state of policing in America today and its prospects for the future. We citizens who in theory are served by the police as they 'protect and serve,' as it is so often inscribed on police vehicles, should sit up and take note. Buried in that slogan is the crux of the matter that Douglas unmasks and dissects: how, in a democratic society, the police should maintain order without being (or appearing to be) bullies."
Graeme R. Newman, Distinguished Teaching Professor, School of Criminal Justice, University at Albany
"We need more books like this, that provide an insider perspective on policing, by experienced and responsible critics of current police practices."
Alan Dershowitz, Professor Emeritus, Harvard Law School; Author of Taking the Stand: My Life in the Law
"Balancing society's need for police protection and the constitutional rights of citizens is one of the most pressing political issues of our time. Todd Douglas does an excellent job covering both topics in a way that informs the reader without lecturing, bringing history and the law together in a way few others have done. I highly recommend The Police in a Free Society to those new to the subject, as well as to those already schooled in policing and the Constitution."
William A. Jacobson, Esq., Clinical Professor of Law, Cornell Law School
"At last a real policeman, experienced in every aspect of a job that demands an enormous variety of skills―how to shoot straight and when to use force, making split second decisions, thinking about the long-term consequences of police action, remaining calm in the face of violence or abuse―has taken to the pen, demonstrating that it is greater than the sword. This is a welcome book that offers much sage advice to police officers, their managers, and the politicians who exploit them. More important, Douglas, drawing on his personal experience and his mastery of current police research, paints a balanced, reasoned assessment of the state of policing in America today and its prospects for the future. We citizens who in theory are served by the police as they 'protect and serve,' as it is so often inscribed on police vehicles, should sit up and take note. Buried in that slogan is the crux of the matter that Douglas unmasks and dissects: how, in a democratic society, the police should maintain order without being (or appearing to be) bullies."
Graeme R. Newman, Distinguished Teaching Professor, School of Criminal Justice, University at Albany
Also From Todd Douglas:
America stands, not at a crossroads, but at the edge of an abyss. We have a crushing national debt that can never be repaid, live under constant government surveillance, and are regulated in every aspect of our lives - right down to the amount of water that can flow out of your showerhead – by unelected bureaucrat thugs in Washington.
Americans are bewildered about how we arrived here and are confused and disgusted by the empty babble from our political masters and news industry “reporters.”
For the first time, Todd Douglas has provided Americans with a comprehensive history of how the constitutional government of the United States was undermined and ultimately destroyed. This destruction was not always deliberate, and was perpetrated by members of both the Republican and Democrat political parties that have ruled us for a century and a half.
Readers will understand what the analysts fail to see; that the counterrevolution is complete – “Conservatives” have nothing left to conserve, and liberals will suffer alike under the same growing tyranny from our political masters. This book is required reading for those who want to understand what has happened and is happening to their country – and how to restore American freedom before it is lost to history.
Americans are bewildered about how we arrived here and are confused and disgusted by the empty babble from our political masters and news industry “reporters.”
For the first time, Todd Douglas has provided Americans with a comprehensive history of how the constitutional government of the United States was undermined and ultimately destroyed. This destruction was not always deliberate, and was perpetrated by members of both the Republican and Democrat political parties that have ruled us for a century and a half.
Readers will understand what the analysts fail to see; that the counterrevolution is complete – “Conservatives” have nothing left to conserve, and liberals will suffer alike under the same growing tyranny from our political masters. This book is required reading for those who want to understand what has happened and is happening to their country – and how to restore American freedom before it is lost to history.
