Extremism in the Police
A Reference Handbook
Will be published approx. on 17. September 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
248 pages
979-8-7651-2363-8 (ISBN)
Description
A one-stop resource for understanding historical and contemporary perspectives on ideological extremism in law enforcement, as well as its wider impacts on American society. The work blends narrative overview, biographies, essay perspectives, and a helpful guide to other resources to facilitate understanding of the contemporary problem of extremism in American law enforcement. Written by experts in the criminal justice field, the book focuses on the extent, motivations, causes, and dangers of ideological extremism in the ranks of America's police, from the smallest towns to the biggest cities. In addition, it discusses reforms that have been proposed-and in some cases implemented-to combat the problem, including measures introduced in other countries.
Reviews / Votes
This well-researched and comprehensive handbook will enable students to understand and contribute to the scholarship in this area, and it is recommended for academic libraries. * Booklist *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Primary & secondary/elementary & high school
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
8 bw illus
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-7651-2363-8 (9798765123638)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Carla Lewandowski is Associate Professor of Law and Justice Studies at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ, USA.
Jeff Bumgarner is Professor and Director of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Texas State University, USA.
Jeff Bumgarner is Professor and Director of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Texas State University, USA.
Content
CONTENTS
Preface
1. Background and History
Introduction
Police in America
City Police Departments
County Sheriff Departments
State Troopers
State Investigative Agencies
Federal Agencies
History of American Policing
Early British Policing
Robert Peel and the Metropolitan Police
Early American Policing
Professional Era of Policing
Police Subculture
Extremism in the United States
Motivations of Political Extremism in the United States
Extremism and the Radicalization Process
How Radicalization Occurs
History of Policing's Intersection with Extremism
References
2. Problems, Controversies, and Solutions
Introduction
Identifying Extremism in Law Enforcement
Questionable Social Media Activity
Impediments to Removing Police Officers from the Profession
Due Process Rights
Labor Unions
Free Speech Rights
Parallel Problem of Extremism in the Military
Infiltration of Law Enforcement by Extremist Groups: The First of Two Threats
Known Extremist Activity or Allegiance in Law Enforcement
Sympathizing with Extremists: The Second Threat
The Appeal of Extremism for Law Enforcement
Why the Concern About Law Enforcement?
Trust in Policing / Police Legitimacy
How to Weed Out or Prevent Extremists in the Ranks
Current Efforts
Changing Hiring Practices
Early Intervention Systems
Use of Brady/Giglio Lists
Decertification / License Revocation
Conclusion
References
3. Perspectives
Police Extremism: A Threat to American Democracy - Michael Wiatroski
Challenges of Law Enforcement Leadership - Tom Nestel
Extremism in Law Enforcement: Programmatic and Civil Society Responses - Brad Galloway
Combating Police Extremism: An International Perspective - Mikkel Dack
Extremism in Policing - Thor Dahl
Police Extremism and the Erosion of Trust - Chloe Robinson
4. Profiles
Organizations
Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Ku Klux Klan
Oath Keepers
Proud Boys
Southern Poverty Law Center
Stormfront
Three Percenters
Individuals
Elmer Stewart Rhodes (1964- )
Louis Beam (1946- )
Richard Mack (1952- )
Movements
Christian Identity Movement
Militia Movement
Racist Skinheads
QAnon
References
5. Data and Documents
Government Documents
Non-government Documents
Key Court Decisions
McAuliffe v. City of New Bedford, 155 Mass. 216 (1892)
Pickering v. Board of Education, 391 U.S. 563 (1968)
Connick v. Myers, 461 U.S. 138 (1983)
Garcetti v. Ceballos, 547 U.S. 410 (2006)
Heffernan v. City of Paterson, 578 U.S. ___ (2016)
6. Resources
Scholarly Articles
Reports
Books
Movies
New Articles
Podcasts
Websites
7. Chronology
Glossary
About the Authors
Preface
1. Background and History
Introduction
Police in America
City Police Departments
County Sheriff Departments
State Troopers
State Investigative Agencies
Federal Agencies
History of American Policing
Early British Policing
Robert Peel and the Metropolitan Police
Early American Policing
Professional Era of Policing
Police Subculture
Extremism in the United States
Motivations of Political Extremism in the United States
Extremism and the Radicalization Process
How Radicalization Occurs
History of Policing's Intersection with Extremism
References
2. Problems, Controversies, and Solutions
Introduction
Identifying Extremism in Law Enforcement
Questionable Social Media Activity
Impediments to Removing Police Officers from the Profession
Due Process Rights
Labor Unions
Free Speech Rights
Parallel Problem of Extremism in the Military
Infiltration of Law Enforcement by Extremist Groups: The First of Two Threats
Known Extremist Activity or Allegiance in Law Enforcement
Sympathizing with Extremists: The Second Threat
The Appeal of Extremism for Law Enforcement
Why the Concern About Law Enforcement?
Trust in Policing / Police Legitimacy
How to Weed Out or Prevent Extremists in the Ranks
Current Efforts
Changing Hiring Practices
Early Intervention Systems
Use of Brady/Giglio Lists
Decertification / License Revocation
Conclusion
References
3. Perspectives
Police Extremism: A Threat to American Democracy - Michael Wiatroski
Challenges of Law Enforcement Leadership - Tom Nestel
Extremism in Law Enforcement: Programmatic and Civil Society Responses - Brad Galloway
Combating Police Extremism: An International Perspective - Mikkel Dack
Extremism in Policing - Thor Dahl
Police Extremism and the Erosion of Trust - Chloe Robinson
4. Profiles
Organizations
Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Ku Klux Klan
Oath Keepers
Proud Boys
Southern Poverty Law Center
Stormfront
Three Percenters
Individuals
Elmer Stewart Rhodes (1964- )
Louis Beam (1946- )
Richard Mack (1952- )
Movements
Christian Identity Movement
Militia Movement
Racist Skinheads
QAnon
References
5. Data and Documents
Government Documents
Non-government Documents
Key Court Decisions
McAuliffe v. City of New Bedford, 155 Mass. 216 (1892)
Pickering v. Board of Education, 391 U.S. 563 (1968)
Connick v. Myers, 461 U.S. 138 (1983)
Garcetti v. Ceballos, 547 U.S. 410 (2006)
Heffernan v. City of Paterson, 578 U.S. ___ (2016)
6. Resources
Scholarly Articles
Reports
Books
Movies
New Articles
Podcasts
Websites
7. Chronology
Glossary
About the Authors