The Future of Policing: 200 Recommendations to Enhance Policing and Community Safety

(Hardback)

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Policing does not happen in a vacuum. The mood, viewpoints, and stresses of society impact how policing occurs and how it is perceived.

Starting in June and July 2020, the nation saw weeks of protests, civil disturbances, and riots that were specifically directed against the police. This most recent round of public unrest was sparked by the senseless, needless, and improper death of George Floyd. Having seen similar deaths of black males while involved with police officers, the nation had had enough and demands for something to be done, were far reaching and involved more than just the black community or a few protestors. An all-encompassing variety of people either joined the protests or supported them. People of all demographic backgrounds, economic levels, and professions resoundingly condemned the actions of the officers in the Floyd incident, even police officers and police leaders.

Policing in America needs to change.

Scott Cunningham offers advice on a wide variety of policing aspects, including but not limited to, leadership, training, equipment and weapons, governments roles and responsibilities, citizen and community participation, investigation procedure, police culture and attitudes, the list goes on. Looking at policing from multiple angles, he provides implementable recommendations for up and down the chain of command that, individually and collectively, could enhance policing and improve the quality of life for everyone.

Reviews

This is a must-read book for anyone involved in policing. The topics covered provide truly valuable insight into what the present and future holds for policing. Having worked with Chief Cunningham I can attest to the fact that he lives by the concepts and ideas covered in the book, and this made a tremendous impact on our Police Department. -- Curtis Swisher, Town Manager, Town of Kernersville
Chief Cunningham provides excellent insight into the profession of policing but more importantly, provides solid, meaningful recommendations on where the profession needs to go from here. -- Steven R. Casstevens, Chief of Police, Buffalo Grove, IL and Past President International Association of Chiefs of Police (2019-2020)

Chief Cunningham has captured the issues surrounding the police profession, as well as the essence of the global situation occurring in 2020 and 2021. His book provides a practical, reasonable perspective on the proper role of the police, as well as that of the citizen. He explains the history of the police service, stemming from the Peelian principles that are still applicable today, while identifying the issues that have been laid at the feet of the police to address, largely because of the inability of other societal systems to provide meaningful and lasting solutions.

Chief Cunningham provides solid recommendations in all aspects of police leadership and ethics to guide the police executive, with a strong focus on policy development, determining the agencys operational mission, and participating in national initiatives to improve the profession such as the National Use of Force Database and the National Consensus Policy on Use of Force. He offers a discussion of leading practices in professional police leadership and management, such as the Pillars of 21st Century Policing, officer safety, wellness and health, training, de-escalation, communication and interpersonal skills, emerging issues and implementation of technology such as drones and body-worn cameras.

His recommendations provide a blueprint for effective management of a law enforcement agency, along with steps for the police executive to deal with current events like responding to and providing professional and balanced public safety services during peaceful protests.

This book is comprehensive, and contains topics worthy of discussion to adapt and apply to each agency and community. While some may disagree with the author in particular topics, it should spark an open and honest dialog to better understand opposing viewpoints and lead to the development of relationships that will enhance openness, transparency and dialog.

If I were to write a book on the future of policing, this would be it! It should be required reading for all new officers, supervisors, commanders and police leaders.

Author Bio

Scott A. Cunningham is a retired Chief of Police with 38 years of on the job experience and holds a PhD in Adult Education. He teaches agencies, officers, and communities around the country, has taught in a university setting, and has served on numerous community, governmental, and professional boards, committees, and commissions.