Police History, Korea and Community Relations

Editor's Note: One of the authors is a former servicemember.

January 2, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local police officers who have written books. Police officers who have written on history and community policing were added to the website.

Todd L. Shulman is a seven-year member of the Napa Police Department, (California) currently serving as a detective. An avid historian, Todd Shulman founded the Napa Police Historical Society in 2006 and has culled their archives for many of the photographs included in his book, Napa County Police. According the book description of Napa County Police, “with dazzling vintage imagery and rich historical text, Todd Shulman tells the tale of policing Napa County - from the Wild West days of the 1850s, through the boom era of the 1940s, and into the 21st century.”

Alfred F. McDonald, a retired Buffalo Police Department (New York) Lieutenant, was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944 – 1947, was placed on inactive reserves and was called back to duty during the Korean Conflict in 1950. He served in the Navy again from late in 1950 through 1952. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Alfred McDonald returned to civilian life as a husband and father. Having been brought up with strong family values and work ethic, Al worked hard at the railroad as a brakeman, until becoming a police officer in 1956. From there, Al’s career flourished and he advanced until reaching his retirement rank of Lieutenant. Alfred McDonald is the author of Korea ‘Operation War Dance.’

According to the book description, Korea – Operation War Dance is “one man’s personal account of shipboard life of the men on the U.S.S. Silverstein. It’s about being under attack, living conditions on the ship, every aspect of a sailor’s life during the time period; and, is a tribute to the brave men and women who served their country during the Korean Conflict.”

Rick Braziel has been a member of the Sacramento Police Department for 28 years, and a Deputy Chief since 2002. In December 2007, he was appointed as chief of police of the Sacramento Police Department. He is a second generation police officer with his father Dick serving the Department for over 20 years. Rick Braziel consults and instructs for Humboldt State University in Teambuilding, Communication Skills, and Leadership. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Communication from California State University, Sacramento.

In 2006, Rick Braziel received a Master of Arts in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense) from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. Rick is also a 2002 graduate and class spokesperson of the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Command College; and 2004 graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s (P.E.R.F.) Senior Management Institute for Police.

Rick Braziel is co-author of the book titled COP Talk: Essential Communication Skills for Community Policing.

According to Kevin Brown, of Montana State University-Northern, in the American Communication Journal, “In this text for police officers the authors lay out the basics of the communication process with helpful vignettes derived from actual police experience to illustrate the principles. The authors lead the reader through a tour of contemporary communication contexts. The authors start with interpersonal communication and cover work groups, public speaking, community meetings, problem solving, network building and finally, public relations. The book is written for a beginning communication student and reflects an understanding that many police officers have had no formal communication training.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 820 police officers (representing 367 police departments) and their 1731 law enforcement books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.