Breaking Rank: A Top Cop's Exposé of the Dark Side of American Policing
Product ID: 63261810
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Opening with a powerful letter to former Tacoma police chief David Brame, who shot his estranged wife before turning the gun on himself, Norm Stamper introduces us to the violent, secret world of domestic abuse that cops must not only navigate, but which some also perpetrate. Former chief of the Seattle police force, Stamper goes on to expose a troubling culture of racism, sexism, and homophobia that is still pervasive within the twenty-first-century force then he explores how such prejudices can be addressed. He reveals the dangers and temptations that cops face, describing in gripping detail the split-second life-and-death decisions. Stamper draws on lessons learned to make powerful arguments for drug decriminalization, abolition of the death penalty, and radically revised approaches to prostitution and gun control. He offers penetrating insights into the "blue wall of silence," police undercover work, and what it means to kill a man. And, Stamper gives his personal account of the World Trade organization debacle of 1999, when protests he was in charge of controlling turned violent in the streets of Seattle. Breaking Rank reveals Norm Stamper as a brave man, a pioneering public servant whose extraordinary life has been dedicated to the service of his community. Review: Recommended Reading. - 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. Review: Put your seat belt on and brace yourself for the truth. - A phenomenally honest book from an ex cop honest enough to tell it as it really is.
| Best Sellers Rank | 278,698 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 282 in Police Biographies 2,003 in Law (Books) 2,265 in Social & Urban History Biographies |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 441 Reviews |
I**A
Recommended Reading.
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.
J**D
Put your seat belt on and brace yourself for the truth.
A phenomenally honest book from an ex cop honest enough to tell it as it really is.
P**T
None to add
Not bad read
E**T
Fricking good
Fricking good
D**S
A must read for all interested in police brutality
What a great read, The content however does not surprise me.
L**Y
Five Stars
THE BOOK IS VERY INTERESTING. ITS A EYE OPENER.
C**R
Great Price
Excellent Book
R**R
Excellent read!
Very informative. Moving. I really enjoyed this book and recommend reading it. I am so proud to have this book in my collection.
J**N
A guide to police reform
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...
K**N
Timely
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.
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