The Police Function

Drawn from class lectures tested over the past 13 years, Arthur D. Wiechmann, MA, shares an insider¿s view of the role and responsibilities of the police officer and manager. Wiechmann¿s 29 years as a police officer, 13 of which were as a Sergeant, provide a rich well of experience to draw from and share with readers. This engaging text is filled with examples that bring theory to life, making learning not only palatable but enjoyable and interesting. Weichmann deftly explores complex issues, bringing in applicable research, theory, and experience. There are many points where such case studies can be used for class discussion. Weichmann¿s frank and pragmatic approach to controversial issues models critical thinking for students. Ethics, police culture, racial profiling, and police misconduct are among such topics. In his last chapter, Wiechmann applies his perspective to the Future of Policing, with illuminating results. Written by a College Professor, this book is used as a text in Criminal Justice Programs. Professor Weichmann writes: What this book offers the student that other books of the same topic do not, is a combination of information and experience, presented in an understandable fashion, and which the student is able to transform into knowledge, the ultimate and elusive goal of all educators. The text is easy to read. It is written using down-to-earth language, lacking verbiage which has the sole purpose of raising the credibility of the author, rather than enlightening the student. There is generous use of space, underlining and boldface type, which creates a visual format that helps the student grasp the ideas, rather than intimidating page-after-page of solid text, which usually results in the student losing interest and just reading the words - retaining little. I use humor, tragedy and 29 years of experience as a police officer and police supervisor in the many examples that I provide to make the text entertaining, informative and thought-provoking. I think that this combination will be an effective way of transforming mere information into lasting knowledge. This is the kind of book I would have appreciated when I was a student struggling to understand difficult topics. This is the ultimate "student friendly" textbook. For instructors who are constantly reading evaluations in which students complain about the book, this is the textbook they have been waiting for. ~ Arthur D. Weichmann, December 2007