AMERICAN POLICE DILEMMA: PROTECTORS OR ENFORCERS?

Commissioner Johannes Spreen was a police officer extraordinary; a man who helped restructure and develop New York City Police Academy training leading to a college program, a 'West Point' for officers, now John Jay College for Criminal Justice. Johannes Spreen is a man of enthusiasm, indeed a prophet; always ahead of his time and brought his talent to Detroit as Police Commissioner and later Sheriff of Oakland County. Rudolph P. Blaum, Retired Captain, New York City Police Department, John Jay College, former president American Education Association.This book describes how policing has gradually emphasized law enforcement over the protection of people. It is a compelling book by an innovative and gifted top cop who presents a convincing case for community-oriented policing. This story of policing urban America over several decades covers politics, crime control, leadership, mental and physical conditioning, morals, and rivalries that reduce effectiveness. Besides being a role model for youth, police officers, administrators and policy analysts, Commissioner Spreen used wit and literary brilliance to describe his career and these issues through charming letters to his daughter.

Johannes Spreen, B.S., M.P.A., and Ph.D. (ABD) was in law enforcement from 1941-1985, starting as a NYC policeman, rising to Inspector and Command of Operations. He was Detroit Police Commissioner; Sheriff of Oakland County, Michigan; newspaper columnist and a professor at John Jay College and Mercy College.