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.

A Fed and Two Local Cops

Editor's Note: Two of the authors are "prior military"

Police-Writers.com is a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books. The website added a federal law enforcement agent as well as two local police officers.

Anna Mydlarz has been a career law enforcement officer, serving with the city of Buffalo Police Department for over 20 years. She has had experience in patrol work and has been promoted to detective, serving with the burglary task force, vice squad and narcotics squad. She currently serves in the communication crime unit, which specializes in high-tech crimes. stalking, telephone harassment, and Internet crimes. Furthermore, she serves on several task forces that are at the foremost of emerging issues.

Anna Mydlarz co-authored with Donald Hutton Guide to Homeland Security Careers and Guide to Law Enforcement Careers. According to the book description of the Guide to Law Enforcement Careers, “Hundreds of jobs are listed and described in local, state, federal, military, and special law enforcement agencies. Here’s advice on where to look for job openings, how to apply, and how to meet law enforcement agency qualifications. Careers cover a variety of areas including municipal police officer, deputy sheriff, corrections officer, state police officer, federal agents, criminal investigators, and many more. Advice is given and opportunities are cited for current and recently retired law enforcement officers. Helpful web sites are listed in this edition, and more than 100 law enforcement insignia patches are illustrated.”

Donald B. Hutton served as an executive staff member for the New York State Thruway Authority and New York State Canal Corporation. He worked progressively for several law enforcement agencies; with the New York State Office of Inspector General as executive deputy inspector general, as a Delaware & Hudson Railroad Police Department special agent, as a United States Department of Veteran Affairs police officer, and as a United States Customs Service Inspector.

Donald B. Hutton served in the United States Coast Guard as a reservist from 1976 until 1992 in the following capacities: as a boatswains mate, a pollution investigator, a special agent in intelligence, and in mobilization/augmentation administration. In 1992, Donald Hutton received and honorable discharge. He has a master's degree from the State University of New York College at Buffalo

Donald Hutton is also the author of numerous articles and books. He co-authored with Anna Mydlarz Guide to Homeland Security Careers and Guide to Law Enforcement Careers. He also wrote Guide to Military Careers, and in 2000 published a suspense thriller, A Deep Blue Sounding Dark Voyage with the U.S. Coast Guard. According to the book description of A Deep Blue Sounding Dark Voyage with the U.S. Coast Guard, “The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Cape Solace mysteriously sinks while on patrol off the coast of Florida, taking 26 crewmembers to a deep water grave. At the same time, Coast Guard Intelligence Agent Brad Thomas surfaces from a deep cover sting operation in New York City netting two “coasties” involved in smuggling for the mob.” According to John Wallace, author of POW-83, “This riveting book will alter America's view of the Coast Guard. Don Hutton is a writer of genuine purpose and originality.”

Robert "Bob" Taubert is thought of by FBI veterans as the finest firearms and tactics instructor to serve in the FBI. He has a Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Physical Education and served 12 years as a reconnaissance infantry Marine pulling two combat tours in Vietnam, rising to the rank of Major and serving as company commander.

Robert Taubert joined the FBI serving his country as a Special Agent for over twenty-four years. While in the FBI he was heavily involved in Special Operations and was one of the founders and trainers of the FBI’s Elite Hostage Rescue Team (HRT. Bob served as the FBI SOG liaison for the USMC and US Navy special operations entities. Bob is responsible for the birth of the widely known SEAL Team 6 and assisted what was to become today’s US Navy's Development Group, in gaining official recognition as a national counter terrorism asset by the military.

Serving as the senior instructor at the FBI Academy in the FBI’s SOARS, the elite Special Operations units he was chosen by the DEA to train and equip DEA agents in Close Quarters Battle, SWAT tactics and combat survival skills. These agents went on to participate in some of the most highly secretive joint agency covert operations that the US has ever run. During his tours of duty with the Bureau and DEA he attended every major firearms school in the world and qualified as a Master or Expert in long and short firearms.

Following the FBI he was a staff instructor at the Smith & Wesson Academy; he is a subject matter expert in SWAT, Anti-Terrorism, Hostage Rescue and Police Survival issues; he is a Staff Instructor for the US Department of State's Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program and is also an adjunct Instructor at Alan Brosnan's Tactical Explosive Entry School and Kelly McCain’s Crucible Training Center. He is an accomplished author and is a staff writer for many LE Magazines, publications, and journals. Robert Taubert is the co-author of Soldiering on: The Stories of Two Former Kiwi SAS Men in Their Continuing World-Wide Careers of Adventure.

Police-Writers.com now hosts 506 police officers (representing 213 police departments) and their 1070 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.