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The Management of Police Specialized Tactical Units

I was very pleasantly surprised with this book as it contains far more than the title suggests. The authors are quite obviously subject matter experts in their field, and the content regarding the historical development of specialized police units and the legislative framework (including often the lack of) that they work within is considered in excellent detail. The guidance they provide in respect of the establishment and maintenance of these units in the U.S. will no doubt prove invaluable to this relatively niche group. However, the book also contains extremely well-written guidance on police management per se, with some very cutting but wholly correct observations with respect to career development and exposure of individuals ill-suited to tasks through nepotism and favouritism. These are likely true of many fields, but can be particularly telling in the relatively closed environment of policing. On the wider aspects of leadership the book provides first class insights, hints, and recommendations that apply way beyond the realm of specialized police units. There is also a very considered and sufficiently detailed discussion on the development of terrorism and the police response to the phenomenon, which will no doubt be of interest to a counterterrorism and academic audience. There is very little to take issue with in this book. I would recommend the authors perhaps revisit the examples they use; for instance, the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege is considered in some detail along with contemporary and earlier examples of executive action. I am nearing the end of my 30-year police career and was 8 years old when this action was carried out. While it remains a benchmark for successful interventions it must now be considered historic, with techniques having moved on considerably. Extreme Cartel violence (295) may seem mindless as the authors suggest, but can in fact be very considered and involve sign-posting capability and be seeking to inspire fear along with compliance. In addition, perhaps overtaken by the pace of change, the book affords little time to advances in technology, particularly in the digital sphere—which are radically altering policing—and elements of specialized policing response in particular. Greater consideration of this area will be necessary by the authors in future editions. Overall, a very good read and one I would recommend to colleagues and academics interested in this field of specialized policing, as well as those interested in wider aspects of police management and leadership.