Police Writers gathered in one virtual location

Hi Tech Criminal Justice launched a website dedicated to police officers turned writers. According to CEO Raymond E. Foster, “Nearly everyone knows the work of Joseph Wambaugh, but how many know that police officers were writing books in the late nineteenth century?” Early police authors such as George Walling and August Vollmer were very influential on the development of American policing. Police authors writing in the late 20th century contributed to the field in areas such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, management, leadership and technology.

“In addition to the academic contributions, police officers have provided us with some of the best crime fiction,” Foster said. Who better to write in the mystery genre of the police procedural than the police officer. Police authors bring their training, experience and creativity to their work; giving the reader an authentic, insider’s view of human nature, crime and police procedures. Police authors like Dallas Barnes, Joseph Wambaugh and Paul Bishop write fiction from the perspective of someone who has seen, smelled, tasted and touched the crime scene.

While some police authors approach crime from an academic standpoint or a fictional point of view, others dissect real crime. There are no better guides through real crime than those who have spent years walking the walk. Crime reporters and journalists rely on police officers for information and interpretation of evidence and events. “A police authors cuts out the middleman or secondary interpreter, and gives the reader a first hand, first class storyteller,” Foster said.

An overriding factor in attracting people to the profession of policing is that every day is different. “Cops see every twist of human nature. They make order our of chaos when the world goes sideways; and, they often handle tense situations after dark and without a manual,” Foster noted. Simply put, police officers are choked full of the best and worst stories of humanity under pressure. The best police authors are able to take these “war stories” and weave them into an interesting and insightful look at America’s streets. These semi-biographical tales stand tall along side the academic, fictional and true crime. Foster added, “It would be a mistake to pigeon hole police authors in some narrow crime genre. Cops have written outstanding works from poetry to politics.”

According to Foster, the website currently has 60 police authors who have written over 140 books. In addition to being accessed by author name, they are categorized by police department (29) and by subject. Hi Tech Criminal Justice realizes this is an ongoing research project and encourages submission of authors not listed. The website and contact information can be access at www.police-writers.com