Out of the Darkness and into the Blue: Surprising Secrets, Tactics, and Training Concepts: A Memoir from one of Kalamazoo's Top Cops

For twenty-five years, peace officer Robert T. Christensen patrolled the streets of Kalamazoo, keenly aware every decision he made could have serious, even fatal, consequences. He learned this lesson early in his career, when a belligerent suspect beat the young rookie unconscious.

Throughout his career, Christensen made a habit of reviewing his actions. What tactics had he used? What immediate circumstances prompted his decisions? Could a slight change in strategy have improved the outcome? Viewing every situation as a learning experience molded Christensen into one of Kalamazoo's top cops.

Out of the Darkness and into the Blue recounts the most significant encounters in Christensen's career, but is more than the exciting memoirs of a veteran police officer. Christensen follows each chapter with a thorough analysis, discussing tactics and training concepts relevant to his experiences.

Along the way, Christensen tackles many of the most important topics in law enforcement today, from racial profiling and deadly force to the challenges LGBT individuals face in a predominantly heterosexual field.

A fascinating exploration of one police officer's thought processes, Out of the Darkness and into the Blue is an entertaining read and valuable resource for anyone learning about—or serving in—the criminal justice system.

Robert T. Christensen worked for the Lawrence Police Department in southwest Michigan before the city of Kalamazoo hired him as a public safety officer in 1991. He spent his entire career in the patrol division, working as a police officer, firefighter, and EMT.

During his career, Christensen served with the SWAT team, Community Policing Unit, Explorer Post, Field Training Unit, Honor Guard. He also taught at the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Police Academy. Christensen earned multiple awards on the force, including the Life Saving Medal, Chief's Award of Excellence, Professional Excellence Award, Award of Merit, and two City of Kalamazoo All-Star Employee awards.

During his peace officer career, Christensen was a drill sergeant for the US Army at Fort Benning, GA, instructing infantry basic trainees. A combat veteran, Christensen was deployed to Afghanistan as a combat advisor from 2009 to 2010, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.