Five New Authors

Editors Note: One of the writers is retired colonel, USMC

Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books five additional authors: Robert Almonte, Tom Avery, William Cavenaugh, Dave Toma and Anthony D’Augustine.

Robert Almonte retired in 2003 after nearly 25 years with the El Paso Police Department. He spent the majority of his career in narcotics as a detective, sergeant, and commander, until his promotion to Captain, in May of 2000. Ultimately, Robert Almonte retired as a Deputy Chief. Robert’s book, “Covert Operations Management” “is designed to provide students with a basic theoretical and practical understanding of the management, legal and ethical issues regarding covert operations that are applicable within multiple levels of government agencies. Management issues covered include; selection and rotation of personnel, ethics, use of informants, intelligence vs. operations, compare and contrast civilian law enforcement and government activities, basic and advanced investigative techniques, and applied practical skills. This textbook is appropriate for criminal justice, criminal investigation, and homeland security programs.”

Robert Almonte’s second book, “Evolution of Narcotics Investigations,” “is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the evolution of the methods for conducting narcotics investigations. Interaction among law enforcement agencies as well as contemporary factors regarding investigative complexity will be examined. Students will also be exposed to alternative solutions to the narcotics problem.”

Tom Avery has been an investigator with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, CA, for over 10 years. Tom is currently assigned to the Technology Crimes Unit. He is a Technology Crime trainer for the California Department of Justice. He is also a co-author for a book entitled “Homeland Security Principles, Planning and Procedures.” According to the description, the “text introduces a broad, in-depth look at security planning and procedures. Students will learn to develop skills in interviewing and interrogation techniques, intelligence gathering, surveillances, perimeter and crime scene security, criminal evidence preservation and collection, and principles of crowd and riot control. Additional topics include threat assessment and response, and facility security and vulnerabilities. This text also helps students develop skills in substance abuse recognition, theft, sabotage and espionage. It also covers techniques for dealing with computer security, electronic criminal investigations, firewalls and security software as well as crime prevention techniques. Additional topics include crime prevention, security access control, and security force management.”

William Cavenaugh retired as a Captain form the Laguna Beach Police Department after 30 years of service. The majority of his career was spent in uniform, assigned to traffic enforcement as a motorcycle officer during which time he made thousands of arrests for DUI. Since 1986 he has conducted a one-week long POST approved course on DUI enforcement. The course has regularly been one of the highest rated courses in California POST training. Bill also recently retired as a Colonel form the Marine Corps Reserve after thirty-six years of service.

Bill is the recipient of MADD, USA’s Lifetime Achievement award for his contribution to DUI enforcement. In 2004, Bill received the Governor’s Award for Life Time Achievement in California law enforcement training, primarily for his efforts in DUI enforcement education. William Cavenaugh authored “Drunk Driving Enforcement : The Street Cop's Guide.”

According to IMBD, "Toma" was based on the real-life exploits of Newark, New Jersey narcotics detective Dave Toma, who in the late 1960's and early 70's, made a name for himself by using unorthodox techniques to get the goods on criminals. He would often dress up as a nun, rabbi, homeless person or any other average citizen in order to blend in and get the drop on pushers.

This TV series started off with good intentions and was a hard-hitting, realistic urban police drama. But star Tony Musante was worried it was going to go the route of every other cop show and just become formulaic. When he pushed for creative changes, producers pushed back and the show ended after just one season. The concept re-emerged the following year as "Beretta" starring Robert Blake.” Toma authored two books, “Toma: The Compassionate Cop” and “Airport Affair.”

Anthony D’Augustine is a former detective lieutenant and firearms training supervisor with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey. He and his wife, Patricia, have four children and one grandson. According to the book description of “Best Enemies,” “After retiring under questionable circumstances, Mac searches to find his daughter and to square up with two of his best enemies. The search takes him to a recreational park in the Catskill Mountains known as Mongaup Pond. When a murder and kidnapping occur at the upstate New York campground, Mac takes it personally.” Anthony is currently working on his second novel, “Just Vengeance,” which chronicles the continued exploits of Mac Taylor.

Police-Writers.com now hosts 292 police officers (representing 122 police departments) and their 710 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors and international police officers who have written books.