The State of American Policing: Psychology, Behavior, Problems, and Solutions. By David J. Thomas, PhD, LMHC, Foreword by Jim Bueermann. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger, 2018. 210 pages. Acid-free $48. (ISBN 978-1-4408-6006-5). Ebook Available (978-1-4408-6007-2), call for pricing.

The State of American Policing: Psychology, Behavior, Problems, and Solutions by David J. Thomas observes the past and current roles of police in the United States. The purpose of this book is to closely examine the impact of policing minority members of the community and address recent instances of police use of deadly force. The author, David J. Thomas, provides expert perspective on policing with his background as a veteran police officer and criminal justice professor at Florida Gulf Coast University.

While there have been several reference works published in recent years on policing and use of force, not many have focused primarily on the minority perspective quite like The State of American Policing: Psychology, Behavior, Problems, and Solutions. Many of the other available books on American policing rarely include more than a chapter on police interaction with minorities and diverse communities. Current reference works on policing also tend to highlight recent police controversies and community responses such as the Black Lives Matter movement. A similar resource would be The Use and Abuse of Police Power in America: Historical Milestones and Current Controversies (ABC-CLIO, 2017) because it also describes police-involved shootings that have recently ignited controversy in America.

Along with a concise history of policing in America, the author includes several hypothetical scenarios of police interactions with the community. These scenarios provide the reader with questions that analyze a problematic policing situation which is followed by a demonstration of the correct solution. The book also includes real case studies of police interactions with minority groups highlighting misconduct by public servants. David J. Thomas also provides great insight into police officers’ experiences and attitudes as they deal with the public. The book addresses the psychology of police bias and racial attitudes along with their decision process and factors that can potentially result in the use of deadly force. The State of American Policing: Psychology, Behavior, Problems, and Solutions describes modern policing as an ever changing occupation and offers solutions for law enforcement agencies to avoid conflict with the people they serve.

The State of American Policing: Psychology, Behavior, Problems, and Solutions by David J. Thomas provides an intelligent study of modern-day policing with a strong emphasis on law enforcement and minority interactions. With a unique perspective and a controversial subject matter, this reference work would make a fine addition to criminology and criminal justice collections.—Trent Shotwell, Special Collections and Archives Librarian, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas