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

2010 Events

(all times local)

January 14, Seattle Town Hall, Elliott Bay Books, Introduction of Gabor Maté

January 14 – Seattle Interview with Penny LeGate, CTV, The Seattle Channel

January 10 – Friday Harbor, WA Presentation to Soroptimist of Friday Harbor, San Juan County Library, and Amnesty International, "Human Trafficking"

January 6 – Sammamish, WA Interview with Kellie Standish, Eastside Catholic High School

2009 Events

January 6, 9:30 AM — Houston, KPFT Radio Houston, Drug Truth Network interview

January 8, 2009, Interview with Sean Finn, Parade Magazine

January 9, 2009, Interview on NORML's Podcast

January 12, 5:30 PM — Chico, CA, KZFR, "Shattered Lives" interview with Sharon North

February 6 — Columbia, SC, Interview with David Waterman, WVOC Radio

February 10, Interview with Michael Isikoff, Newsweek Magazine

February 11, Interview with Ken Schram and John Carlson, The Commentators, KOMO Radio

February 11, Interview with Ross Reynolds, The Conversation, KUOW Public Radio

February 11, Interview with Mike O'Brien, The Hill, Washington, D.C.

February 11, Podcast with Russ Belville, NORML

February 11, Interview with Ron and Don, The Ron and Don Show, KIRO Radio

February 11, Interview with Philip Rucker, Washington Post

February 11, Interview with Froma Harrop, The Providence Journal

February 11, Interview with Vanessa Ho, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

February 11, Interview with Bob Curley, Join Together

February 12, Interview with Bob Rivers, et al, CBS News

February 12, Interview with Bernie Becker, New York Times

February 13, Interview with William Yardley, New York Times

February 18, Interview, Silja Talvi, In These Times

February 19, Interview, Stand Up! with Pete Dominic, P.O.T.U.S., Sirius/XM Radio

February 19, Interview, Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld, Fox News

February 24, Interview with Damon Agnos, Seattle Weekly

February 28, Interview with the "Hector Sector", ñ 1150 AM, El Paso

September 30, Herald Sun (Australia), phone interview with Alan Howe

September 29, Seattle Weekly, phone interview with Nina Shapiro

September 29, Conference call with Drug Policy Alliance

September 29, Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), Interview with Michael Duffy

September 26, San Francisco, 2009 NORML Conference, Panel, "Driving Mexican Cartels Out of Business"

September 26, San Francisco, 2009 NORML Conference, Plenary Speech on "Law Enforcement as Cannabis Reform's Missing Link"

September 26, San Francisco, Plenary Speech and Panel Discussion, Annual NORML Conference

September 26, San Francisco, Interview with Drug Truth Network

September 25, San Francisco, Meeting with Kevin Ryan, Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Gavin Newsome

September 25, San Francisco, Meeting with Sheriff Mike Hennessey, San Francisco Sheriff's Department

September 25, San Francisco, NORML news conference

September 25, San Francisco, Meeting with Supervisor David Chiu, San Francisco Board of Supervisors

September 25, San Francisco, Meeting with Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, San Francisco Board of Supervisors

September 25, San Francisco, Dinner with Common Sense for Drug Policy/ARO

September 24, Oakland, Meeting with Acting Chief Howard Jordan, OPD

September 24, Sausalito, Presentation to Sausalito Rotary

September 24, Berkeley, Tour of Berkeley Patients Group

September 24, Berkeley, Dinner with BPG officials

September 24, Sausalito (CA) Rotary

September 24, Berkeley Patients Group

September 23, San Francisco, Presentation to UC-Hastings College of Law

September 23, Oakland, Tour of Harborside Health Center

September 22, Interview with KCTS TV, "WTO: The Whole World Is Watching"

September 17, Phone interview with "The Young Turks," Air America

September 15, Phone interview with Patrik Jonnson, Christian Science Monitor

September 9, Interview with Eric Scigliano, Seattle Metropolitan magazine

September 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, Actors Theater of Orcas Island, appearing in "Brilliant Traces" by Cindy Lou Johnson

August 31, Interview with Dori Monson, KIRO Radio, Seattle

August 25, Interview with KDKA Radio, Pittsburgh

August 25, Interview with Bev Smith Show, Pittsburgh, American Urban Radio Networks

August 24, Interview with Aimee Allison, KPFA Radio, Berkeley

August 12 — Bellingham, WA, Interview on KVOS TV, Experience NW

August 12 — Bellingham, WA, Book Event at Village Books for Marijuana Is Safer by Steve Fox, Paul Armentano, Mason Tvert

August 6, Interview with Liliana Segura, AlterNet

July 27, Interview with Sean Hamill, freelancer for New York Times

July 27, Interview with Joseph Mandak, Associated Press

July 24, Interview with KIRO Radio, Seattle

July 24, Interview (#2) with Patrik Jonnson, Christian Science Monitor

July 24, Interview (#1) with Patrik Jonnson, Christian Science Monitor

July 23, Interview with Kim Murphy, Los Angeles Times

June 29, Interview with Geoff Watland, KBOO News, Portland, OR

June 25, Interview with Mike McConnell Show, WLW AM, Cincinnati

June 25, San Juan Islands Meeting with Brad and Kathy Holian of Santa Fe, New Mexico

June 23, Interview with Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network

June 23, Interview with Charles Cooper, CBS News.com

June 16, Interview with The Irv Homer Show, WBCB, Levittown, PA

June 11, Interview with Nicholas Kristof, New York Times

June 10, Interview with David Crary, Associated Press

June 3, Interview with Jerome Sherman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

May 14, Interview with KUOW, "The Conversation With Ross Reynolds"

May 7, Interview with Martin Kaste, National Public Radio

May 7, Interview with Mark Christopher Show, KNEWS, Palm Springs

April 30, Interview with Kelsy Krotzer, Ellensburg Daily Record

April 30, Interview with Manuel Roig-Franzia, Washington Post

April 28, Podcast interview with Electric Politics, Washington D.C.

April 23, Interview with Thom Hartmann Show, KPOJ Radio, Sirius/XM

April 21, Interview with World Tonight AM 770 CHQR News Talk Sports, Calgary, Alberta

April 20, Interview with The Richard Hunter Show, Rick Dees Entertainment, Dallas, TX

April 16, Interview with Phil Hendrie, Talk Radio Network

April 15, Interview with Anthony Liebetrau, KPFK, Los Angeles

April 10, Interview with Sasha Abramsky for The Nation

April 2, Interview with Bob Rivers Show, KZOK, CBS Affiliate

March 30, Interview with Amy Goodman, Democracy Now

March 24, Testimony before the Minnesota House of Representatives Committee on Public Safety and Oversight

March 24, Interview with St. Paul Pioneer

March 24, Interview with Minneapolis City Pages

March 23, Interview with Minneapolis Star Tribune

March 13, Interview with Isaac Wolf, Scripps Howard

March 12, Interview with Debra J. Saunders, San Francisco Chronicle

March 12, Interview with The Seattle Channel

March 10, Interview with Radley Balko, Senior Editor of Reason, writing for The Daily Beast

March 10, Interview with Edward Marantz, Slate.Com

March 10, Interview with Christina Bellantoni, Washington Times

March 10, Interview with Carrie Johnson, Washington Post

March 10, Interview with José Diaz-Briseo, Reforma, Mexico

March 10, Interview with Marina Rockinger, KOMO Radio

March 5, Interview with Judith Scherr, KPFA Berkeley

October 4, Sydney, Australia Dinner with Dr. Alex Wodak

October 4, Sydney, Australia Festival of Dangerous Ideas, Panel: "All Forms of Drug Use Should Be Made Legal," Sydney Opera House

October 5, Sydney, Australia Interview with Tony Jones, "Lateline," ABC Studios

October 5, Sydney, Australia Meeting with Dr. Wodak and Leah McLeod

October 6, Sydney, Australia Visit to Medically Supervised Injecting Centre, Kings Cross

October 6, Sydney, Australia Meeting with Rev. Harry Herbert, Executive Director, UnitingCare

October 6, Sydney, Australia Meeting with Philip Kelley, Policy Advisor to Minister for Police and Mike Bailey, Policy Advisor to Attorney General and Minister for Justice

October 6, Sydney, Australia Lunch at Parliament House Dinning Room with Drug Policy Reformers

October 6, Sydney, Australia Lecture, NSW Parliament House for State Government representatives

October 7, Sydney, Australia Briefing to City of Sydney "Safe City Unit" and Local Area Police Commanders

October 7, Sydney, Australia Tour of St. Vincents Hospital Alcohol and Drug Services

October 7, Sydney, Australia Meeting with Detective Superintendent Tony Cook, Commander Drug and Alcohol Coordination

October 7, Sydney, Australia Interview with World Today ABC Radio, Shane McLeod

October 7, Sydney, Australia Lecture, University of Technology, "Principles of Forensic Science," law students

October 8, Sydney, Australia Presentation to Centre for Independent Studies, St. Leonards

October 8, Sydney, Australia Discussion with Deputy Lord Mayor of City of Sydney Ms. Marcelle Hoff, Councillors and Advisors

October 8, Sydney, Australia Lecture, University of New South Wales Law School

October 8, Sydney, Australia Interview with NSW Police News, Nicola Silva

October 8, Sydney, Australia Roundtable discussion, Australasian Society for HIV Medicine, national video linkup

October 9, Sydney, Australia Dinner with Dr. Alex Wodak, et al

October 9, Sydney, Australia Presentation to Users and Health Workers and AIDS Assoc.

October 9, Sydney, Australia Video interview with User's News

October 9, Sydney, Australia Interview with Australian Police Journal, Sr. Sgt. Victoria Williams

October 9, Sydney, Australia Interview with Hungry Beasts (Zapruder's Other Films/ABC)

October 9, Sydney, Australia Interview with Fiveaa (Adelaide talk radio)

October 9, Sydney, Australia Presentation to Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Australia-NZ-wide videoconference

October 10, Melbourne, Australia dinner with Davis Stanley and family

October 10, Sydney, Australia, Interview with Kate Pinnock, Jailbreak 2SER

October 11, Melbourne, Australia Private briefing dinner with Bill Noonan, OAM National Men's Health Ambassador

October 12, Melbourne, Australia Meeting with Wade Noonan, MP at Parliament House

October 12, Melbourne, Australia Testify at Victorian Parliamentary Joint Houses, Investigatory Drug and Crime Prevention Committee

October 12, Melbourne, Australia Lecture, Monash University, Clayton Campus

October 12, Melbourne, Australia Meeting with Senior Officials, Victoria Police Association, Brian Rix, President

October 12, Melbourne, Australia Meeting with Police Commissioner the Hon. Bob Cameron

October 12, Melmbourne, Australia Interview with ABC Morning Show, John Fain

October 13, Melbourne, Australia Meeting at Convenience Advertising

October 13, Melbourne, Australia Meeting with Victorian Child Safety Commissioner Bernie Geary, and other leaders

October 13, Melbourne, Australia Video interview, Institute of Public Affairs

October 13, Melbourne, Australia Meeting with Acting Chief Police Commissioner Kieran Walshe and senior staff

October 13, Melbourne, Australia Presentation to Office of Police Integrity and Victorian Police Force Officers

October 14, Melbourne, Australia Meeting with Mr. Brett Curran, Chief of Staff to Victorian Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Corrections

October 14, Melbourne, Australia Presentation to Harm Reduction and D&A Workers, Moonee Valley Civic Centre

October 14, Melbourne, Australia Presentation to Lord Mayor and Moonee Valley City Councillors

October 14, Melbourne, Australia Meeting with City of Melbourne City Issues Team

October 15, Perth, Australia Dinner with Drug Policy Reformers

October 15, Perth, Australia Presentation to National Drug Research Institute Seminar, Curtin University of Technology

October 15, Perth, Australia Interview with ABC WA Statewide

October 15, Perth, Australia Meeting with Police Minister Rob Johnson

October 15, Perth, Australia Lecture at Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus

October 15, Perth, Australia Meeting with Assistant Police Commissioner (Traffic & Ops) Mr. Shayne Maynes

October 16, Perth, Australia Presentation to Public Meeting, Royal Park Hall, North Perth

October 16, Perth, Australia Meeting with WA Chief Justice Wayne Martin, former Chair of Law Reform Commission

October 16, Perth, Australia Meeting with Roger Cook, WA Shadow Minister for Heath and Paul Papalia, Shadow Minister for Corrective Services

October 16, Perth, Australia Presentation at Western Australia Substance Users Association

October 16, Perth, Australia Interview with ABC Radio

October 16, Perth, Australia Testimony to WA Legislative Assembly, Education and Health Standing Committee on Adequacy and Appropriateness of Prevention and Treatment Services

October 19, Brisbane, Australia Dinner with Brisbane Drug Policy Reformers

October 19, Brisbane, Australia Presentation to Biala Needle & Syringe Programme

October 19, Brisbane, Australia Presentation to Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Edu. Ctr, University of Queensland

October 19, Brisbane, Australia Meeting with John Herron, Chair, Australian National Council on Drugs

October 20, Brisbane, Australia Presentation to 1800 Annual Gen'l. Mtg. Qld Council of Civil Liberties, Irish Club

October 20, Brisbane, Australia Presentation to Rotary and Chamber of Commerce, Fortitude Valley

October 20, Brisbane, Australia Meeting with Members of State Parliament, Old Parliament House

October 21, Brisbane, Australia Dinner with Drug Policy Reformers

October 21, Currumbin, Australia Visit to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

October 21, Brisbane, Australia Lecture at Law School, University of Queensland

October 21, Brisbane, Australia Meeting with Queensland Deputy Police Commissioner Ian Stewart and senior staff

October 22, Brisbane, Australia Presentation to QulHN/QulVVA, Fortitude Valley

October 22, Brisbane, Australia Meeting with Lee and Chris Rush (re: son Scott on death row in Bali)

October 22, Brisbane, Australia Presentation to QulHN/QulVVA, Fortitude Valley

October 23, Canberra, Australia Dinner with Drug Policy Reformers

October 23, Canberra, Australia Meeting with senior officials, Department of Health and Aging

October 23, Canberra, Australia Meeting with senior officials, ACT Government

October 23, Canberra, Australia Presentation to Australian Crime Commission

October 23, Canberra, Australia Meeting with Australian Federal Police, Headquarters

October 24, Cooma, Australia Dinner with Rotarians

October 24, Cooma, Australia Presentation to Rotary International Conference

October 25, Cooma, Australia Return trip to Canberra

October 26, Canberra, Australia Public Meeting, ACT Legislative Assembly London Circuit

October 26, Canberra, Australia Meeting with The Hon. Duncan Kerr, MP, and The Hon. Mal Washer, Chair of Australian Parliamentary Group for Drug Law Reform, Commonwealth Parliament House

October 26, Canberra, Australia Meeting with Mr. Richard Pieper, Crime Manager
, Drugs, Australian Federal Police

October 26, Canberra, Australia Presentation to Center of Excellence in Policing and Security, Australian National University

October 26, Canberra, Australia Discussion at Australian Injecting Users League

October 27, Canberra, Australia Presentation to Australian Parliamentary Group for Drug Law Reform, Annual Meeting

October 27, Canberra, Australia Meeting with Mal Washer, MP, Chair, Australian Parliamentary Group for Drug Law Reform

October 27, Canberra, Australia Meeting with Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens

October 27, Canberra, Australia Meeting with Kay Hull, Member of Parliament

October 27, Canberra, Australia Interview with West Australian

October 27, Canberra, Australia Interview with Sydney Morning Herald

November 5, Interview with C.O.W.S. Radio

November 12, Interview with Nina Shapiro, Seattle Weekly

November 16, Interview with Paula Wissell, KPLU Radio, Seattle

November 18 — Bellingham, WA, Debate with President of National Narcotics Officers Coalition, City Club

November 20, Interview with Michael Crowley, Reader's Digest

November 26, Interview with Nick Perry, Seattle Times

November 30 – Seattle Interview with Ross Reynolds, The Conversation, KUOW Public Radio

November 30 – Los Angeles Interview with Ian Masters, KPFK Public Radio

November 30, Interview with Ross Reynolds, KUOW Radio

November 30 – Seattle Interview with Nina Shapiro, Seattle Weekly

December 2 – Los Angeles Interview with Terrence McNally, WBAI in New York, KPFK, Los Angeles

December 8 – Seattle Providing in-studio commentary during KOMO TV's live four-hour coverage of memorial service for four slain Lakewood (WA) police officers

December 9 – Seattle Interview with Bob Rivers, The Bob Rivers Show, CBS [on officer safety, yesterday's memorial]

December 17 – Interview with Jay Morris Show, WKZO, Kalamazoo, Michigan

December 18 – Interview with Uprising Radio, KPFK, North Hollywood, CA

December 27 – Interview with Matt Power, New York Times


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.