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Norm Stamper, former chief of the Seattle Police force, has written a story like no other. Part-memoir, part polemic, Stamper exposes the unvarnished truth — both disturbing and inspiring — about policing in America today.
Breaking Rank
A Top Cop's Exposé
of the Dark Side of American Policing
Norm Stamper
Future Events — 2008
(all times local)January 19, 2008, 9:00 AM — San Jose. National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, "Reaching for the Dream: New Arguments & New Allies.
February 13, 12:30 — Seattle. Professor Jonathan Wender's University of Washington CJ class.
February 14, 5:30 — Seattle. Real Change Annual Fundraiser, Rainier Valley Cultural Center.
February 26, 10 am — Los Angeles. Phone Interview with Jazz Richmond.
March 2008 — The Sentry article, "Abolish the Death Penalty"
March 17 — Plano, Texas. Meeting with Texas State Representative, Chair of the Corrections Committee Jerry Madden
March 17 — Dallas, Texas. Meeting with Dallas County Public Defender Brad Lollar
March 18 — Dallas, Texas. Meeting with Criminal District Court Judge John Creuzot
March 18 — Dallas, Texas. Meeting with Dallas Police Chief David Kunkel
March 18 — Dallas, Texas. Meeting with Drug Policy Reformers Suzy Wills and Robert Ramsey
March 18 — Waxahachie, Texas. Interview for film, "Drug Wars: The Colombianization of Mexico," produced by Rusty Fleming
April 3, 7:00 PM-9:00 PM — Bellingham, WA. Western Washington University, Performing Arts Center, "Drug War Addiction"
April 4, 2008. Interview, KUGS Radio, Western Washington University
April 4, 2008. Interview, Seattle Magazine
April 4, 2008. Interview, The Associated Press, "Former Seattle chief Stamper says meth raid does little good"
April 5, 2008. Bellingham Herald article, "Drug war called 'abject failure'"
April 12, 2008 — Los Angeles. Interview, Burl Barer's Outlaw Radio
June 4 - 7:00 AM Interview, Peter Boyle, Denver, KHOW Radio
June 8 - June 10 — Malibu and Los Angeles. Meetings with City Council members and citizen groups
June 9 - 12:20 PM — Los Angeles. Interview, Reason TV
June 10, 2008 — Los Angeles. The Billy Wilder Theater, Hammer Museum. "The Prohibitive Cost of Prohibition"
June 12 - 7:00 AM — Renton. Spirit of Washington Event Center. Domestic Abuse Women's Network "Wake Up With Dawn Benefit Breakfast" Keynote
July 13-16 — Albany, Linn County, Salem, and Portland, Orego. LEAP speeches and meetings with state and local law enforcement, elected officials
Watch this website for updates, including additional readings. Questions or suggestions? Please contact Michele Jacob, Publicity Director, Basic Books, 212.340.8161, or email her.
Opening with a powerful letter to former Tacoma police chief David Brame, who shot his estranged wife before turning the gun on himself, Stamper introduces us to the violent, secret world of domestic abuse that cops must not only navigate, but which some also perpetrate. Stamper goes on to expose a troubling culture of racism, sexism, and homophobia that is still pervasive within the 21st century force, exploring how such prejudices can be addressed. He reveals the dangers and temptations that cops on the street face, describing in gripping detail their split second life-and-death decisions.