SWAT Madness and the Militarization of the American Police - by Jim Fisher (Hardcover)

About the Book

With the immediacy of a daily newspaper, this book reveals how the irresponsible use of SWAT teams, shock-and-awe policing, and the increasing militarization of American law enforcement is changing the face of 'the land of the free.'
In the United States, military-style police enforcement is fast becoming the norm--even the smallest police departments now field costly SWAT units. While the fact that police forces have increased capabilities to deal with urgent or dangerous situations may seem positive, this type of aggressive response is problematic; court settlements regarding excessive SWAT raids cost law enforcement agencies millions of dollars every year, not to mention that these brute-force strategies often traumatize, injure, and kill innocent people.

This book takes an unprecedented look into the realities of zero-tolerance, militaristic policing, the tactics and equipment used, the problematic "crime warrior" mindset at play, and the statistical evidence of its ineffectiveness. The author's professional experience in criminology and scholarly knowledge of the topic enables him to candidly address common concerns about utilizing paramilitary law enforcement and special weapons and tactics (SWAT) units in routine, low-risk police work, such as the general loss of freedom, the often tragic results of excessive force, and the effects on race relations.

• Provides 30 case studies documenting inappropriate SWAT team deployment

Book Synopsis

With the immediacy of a daily newspaper, this book reveals how the irresponsible use of SWAT teams, shock-and-awe policing, and the increasing militarization of American law enforcement is changing the face of "the land of the free."

In the United States, military-style police enforcement is fast becoming the norm--even the smallest police departments now field costly SWAT units. While the fact that police forces have increased capabilities to deal with urgent or dangerous situations may seem positive, this type of aggressive response is problematic; court settlements regarding excessive SWAT raids cost law enforcement agencies millions of dollars every year, not to mention that these brute-force strategies often traumatize, injure, and kill innocent people.

This book takes an unprecedented look into the realities of zero-tolerance, militaristic policing, the tactics and equipment used, the problematic "crime warrior" mindset at play, and the statistical evidence of its ineffectiveness. The author's professional experience in criminology and scholarly knowledge of the topic enables him to candidly address common concerns about utilizing paramilitary law enforcement and special weapons and tactics (SWAT) units in routine, low-risk police work, such as the general loss of freedom, the often tragic results of excessive force, and the effects on race relations.

Review Quotes

"Fisher ... offers a powerful work that takes up the cause for society and law enforcement to conduct a realistic, rational assessment of the proliferation and expanded use of special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams. ...This very nice scholarly work, well researched and supported with factual, albeit occasionally sarcastic, commentary, is well suited for criminal justice and especially public issues collections. ...Recommended." --Choice

About the Author

Jim Fisher is professor emeritus of criminal justice at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA.