From The Ground Up skillfully challenges readers to set aside personal beliefs to welcome rational solutions needed to rebuild and refine our American law enforcement. It cuts through all the blame game while giving us some laughter, facts, and, most importantly, what we want, solutions.
This book gives us the vision to go after an attainable goal together; we all get trusted and professional policing in law enforcement throughout the country, accompanied by a greater trust between police and citizens and a safer and more law-abiding nation.
From establishing a baseline for the qualities needed to become an officer to understanding the paradigm shift we're all witnessing, this book is so practical that you can understand how we win in the end.
Leadership Through Policy and Procedures
A leader's ability to correctly use and direct its officers' overall mentality and discipline is paramount. Yet, many chiefs do not have the authority we think they have and are subsequently looked upon as enablers. Quite often, this is not the case. As illustrated throughout From The Ground Up, our societal expectations will never be met if left unmanaged. It also explores how true leadership is reflected in the good policies and procedures established and consistently maintained within police departments. And how this has a far-reaching impact on the relationship between police and citizens.
When Things Go Wrong!
We must point out what is being done wrong while also providing solutions. There are plenty of hands in the pot on this one. But it's not the intention of this book to focus on the who but to bring to light what and why things are wrong. It also emphasizes how this will lead to detrimental incidents and escalate easily avoidable conflicts. It reemphasizes why it is crucial to have the right people make decisions and what happens when the wrong people are chosen and/or decisions are made— serving definitely as an eye-opener.
Compensation Is Not a Bad Thing
From The Ground Up addresses the old saying, “you get what you paid for,” through varying and sometimes amusing perspectives and points of view. It brilliantly points out what we are willing to pay for and what we take for granted. The book centers on how policing in America is affected by it and society's subliminal thoughts on the hierarchy of police. Astonishing!
Conclusion
Today's world is so fast-paced that if you are not strapped in with both eyes open, yelling like you're on the ride of a lifetime, you are bound to fall off. But even going for it all and taking that challenge, that ride of a lifetime, can become self-indulging, often resulting in us missing what's around us. We simply don't have time to slow down and look. The result when we do look? Disappointment is followed by anger, finger-pointing, and rushed ultimatums that call for an end rather than fixing or refining.
This book comes out at an urgent national moment when trust and legitimacy are at stake. James W. Buie, in his book, offers implementable solutions now. It is a blueprint for how to move forward, united in thought and uniform in action. It just makes sense!
