There is a reason why people claim great respect for officers of the law: the job, by description, is hard-if not deadly. It takes a certain kind of person to accept the consequences of the job- seeing the very worst situations, on a regular basis, and knowing that one's life is on the line every hour of every day. Working in law enforcement is emotionally and psychologically draining. It affects these public servants both on and off the job. Said plainly, shaking an officers' hand when you see them or posting a sign in the front yard that reads "Support the Badge" is lip service. Even going as far as to donate money to a crowdsourcing fundraising site does little to support the long-term professional development needs of officers. These are surface level signs of solidarity, and do little in terms of showing respect for the job and those who do it. For those who want to do more, this text provides reasons and a rationale for doing better by these public servants. Showing respect does not mean that one agrees with whatever another person or institution claims to be the "right" way. Showing respect and admiration means that we charge individuals to live up to their fullest potentials and integrate innovation wherever possible. In the case of policing in the era of Black Lives Matters, policing as usual simply is not an option any longer. It is disrespectful, to both the officers and those who are being policed, to rest on the laurels of past policing tactics. As we enter a time period in which police interactions are recorded (dash cams or body cams, for example) and new populations are being targeted (Latinx people), there is much to learn about what is working and what is not.

About the Author
Sandra E. Weissinger is assistant professor of sociology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Dwayne A. Mack is professor of history at Berea College.

Reviews
Although many aspects of law enforcement in its function of social control have been well documented, much less analyzed are the mechanisms, beliefs, and ideologies that govern police policies, enforcement, discourse, and, by extension, the minority experience, particularly of black and brown people. Seeking active engagement, reform, and social justice in the age of Black Lives Matter, Weissinger and Mack masterfully document one of the country's most consequential historical issues-social and criminal injustice by the criminal justice system, particularly in police institutions. Contributing authors vividly assess and masterfully delineate the historical, social, legal, philosophical, and ideological forces shaping and reshaping the black and Latino/a experience with police and the mainstream US. In the current highly charged political climate, the book is a timely education in policing minority communities and race/ethnic relations and vital for sociology, history, ethnic/minority studies, and criminal justice collections. Definitely a must read for anyone interested in better understanding the black and brown experience with police in the US and for those vested in positive transformation as Americans strive for better lives, a better future. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All public and academic levels/libraries. * CHOICE *
A provocative look at our failed criminal justice system, this timely book's probing chapters delineate well its racialized and chronically problematical policing operations. Sensitive to the humanity of those involved, police officers and those they often oppress, these savvy scholars provide insightful historical, institutional, and reform-oriented analyses for all concerned with creating a fairer and more just America. -- Joe Feagin, Texas A&M University



Book Information
ISBN 9781498553612
Author Sandra E. Weissinger
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Lexington Books
Publisher Lexington Books
Weight(grams) 345g
Dimensions(mm) 220mm * 153mm * 17mm