Police Tactics and History

September 29, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists over 750 state and local police officers who have written books. The website added three law enforcement officials who have written extensively about police tactics and/or police history.

In 1969, Charles “Sid” Heal joined the United States Marine Corps. After serving a combat tour in Vietnam, he returned home, joined the Marine Corps reserve and attended college. Commander Charles “Sid” Heal began his law enforcement career in 1975 as an investigator for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. In 1977, he joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy sheriff. During his law enforcement career, he has worked various assignments within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, including Men’s Central Jail, Firestone Station and Industry Station.

Upon being promoted to Sergeant in 1983, Commander Charles Heal worked at Crescenta Valley Station and the Special Enforcement Bureau. After being promoted to Lieutenant in 1989, Commander Charles Heal worked Central Property and Evidence, Firestone Station, Lennox Station, Hall of Justice Jail, Transit Services Bureau, Walnut Station, Emergency Operations Bureau, Special Projects Unit, and Field Operations Region III Headquarters. In January 2000, he was promoted to Captain and selected to command the Special Enforcement Bureau.

During his 35 years in the Marine Corps he has served in over 20 countries including military operations in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Somalia and Iraqi Freedom. Charles “Sid” Heal retired from the United States Marine Corps at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer (CWO5).

Commander Charles Heal holds an Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Pasadena City College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Police Science and Administration from California State University, Los Angeles, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, and a Master’s Degree in Management from California Polytechnic University, Pomona. He is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy. Commander Charles “Sid” Heal is the author of Sound Doctrine: A Tactical Primer and An Illustrated Guide to Tactical Diagramming.

According to the book description of Sound Doctrine: A Tactical Primer, “In recent years, law enforcement has suffered a number of tactical fiascoes. Besides the loss of life and deterioration in public confidence, officers and agencies have been the subject of both civil and criminal actions. Unlike most tactical books, which reach tactics as a “skill set,” this book emphasizes an intuitive application of fundamental principles. These principles have evolved over the centuries of tactical operations and form a body of sound doctrine.”

Steven Wayne Knight’s 19 year law enforcement career included being a police officer in Newport Beach (California), a deputy sheriff in Washoe County (Nevada) and a Deputy Marshal for the Los Angeles County Marshal’s Department. Steven Knight is the author of 1857 Los Angeles Fights Again and 1853 Los Angeles Gangs.

According to Midwest Book Review, “1853 Los Angeles Gangs by Steven W. Knight is an impressively written, historical novel of the lawless gangs of Los Angeles, and the determined Rangers who stood against them. The superbly drawn story of a turbulent "yesteryear" city is populated with such memorable characters as Juan Flores who intends for his gant to dominant a rapidly expanding and ethnically diverse city by first killing off the Chinese, and then the Americans; Don Thomas Sanchez struggling to preserve political power in the face of American landgrabs; and Horace Bell with his implacable dedication to the law. Drama, action, bloodshed, love and great courage fill the pages of this exciting and entertaining saga from cover to cover.”

Captain John Kolman, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (ret.), is the founder and first director of the National Tactical Officer’s Association. John Kolman is the author of The Trials And Tribulations Of Becoming A Swat Commander, Patrol Response to Contemporary Problems: Enhancing Performance of First Responders Through Knowledge And Experience and Guide to the Development of Special Weapons and Tactics Teams.

According to Commander Sid Heal, The Trials And Tribulations Of Becoming A Swat Commander, “is clearly modeled after "Duffer's Drift" and fills a gap in those texts that deal with essential material and the more interesting fiction by combining an interesting scenario with an abundance of lessons learned. Consequently, it should be considered a "must read" for law enforcement SWAT personnel, but especially entry-level and first-line supervisors. The lessons are durable, reliable and relevant for all domestic law enforcement but are focused on that critical first-line supervisor.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 756 police officers (representing 347 police departments) and their 1623 law enforcement books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.