Book Reviews
Crossing the Threshold: Female Officers and Police-Perpetrated Domestic Violence
ISBN 978-1-933556-48-2 Diane Wetendorf, ©2006 All rights reserved.
What People Are Saying...
- Sgt. Amy Ramsay, Ph.D. Executive Director, International Association of Women Police:
- Wow! Finally, a book that nails the dirtiest secret in policing. This is the best-researched book on the police spousal abuse issue I have ever read. Wake up criminal justice leaders—now the public knows what really goes on.
- Joan Zorza, Esq. Editor, Domestic Violence Report:
- Validates the experiences of every woman battered by a police officer. We wish it were mandatory reading for all judges, those working in the courts, the police hierarchy and Internal Affairs.
- Chief Penny E. Harrington, Founding Director, National Center for Women & Policing:
- Diane Wetendorf has been the pioneer in dealing with the problem of violence in law enforcement families. Women across the nation have turned to Diane for help when the entire criminal justice system turned its back. She has bravely documented the extraordinary challenges these victims face. Every police chief and sheriff should read this book.
- Lundy Bancroft, Author/Trainer:
- Captures the mentality of abusive men with incredible accuracy, and illustrates the critical role abusive cops' allies play in enabling the abuser to manipulate the victim and maneuver the criminal justice system.
- Debra K. Hannula, Washington State Attorney at Law:
- Speaks to the heart of the pain, frustration, agony and loss experienced by victims of domestic violence. Though the book centers on victims who are police officers, it speaks to all victims who encounter abusers of power.
- Dottie L. Davis, Deputy Chief:
- Many people are considered experts in the domestic violence arena, but few can claim expertise in the dynamics of police-perpetrated domestic violence. Diane Wetendorf is such an authority. Her book provides a clear and accurate picture of the dynamics in this male-dominated career, and the insurmountable walls facing female officers as victims. A must read for all first-line supervisors, commanders, and Office of Professional Standards investigators.
- Dr. Kim Lonsway, Director of Research for End Violence Against Women International:
- Diane was the first advocate to develop a program specifically serving the needs of victims of police-perpetrated domestic violence. Her writing is clear, concise and effective.
- Commander, Internal Affairs:
- This book is a cold, hard look at police spousal abuse. As a 31-year police officer, it's hard for me to read a book which paints such an unfavorable picture of my profession. My sincere belief is the majority of police officers are honorable people. For those in the minority who abuse their authority, I hope the badge you hide behind is taken so you have nowhere to hide.
- Sheriff Frank G. Cousins, Jr., Essex County Sheriff's Dept.:
- Women police officers face a unique set of challenges that their male colleagues never have to confront. A must-read for anyone looking to gain a greater understanding of this difficult issue.
- VA Medical Center:
- I facilitate an incarcerated veterans program and a domestic relations (batterers) program for homeless veterans. I've seen some of what you referenced. We have veteran police officers, corrections officers, state troopers, firemen as well in addition to all other veterans.
- Dan Hally, Unified Solutions Tribal Community Development Group:
- I have reviewed your excellent work. It is great to see such a valuable and knowledgeable resource available for victims of abuse by law enforcement. We must involve victims in the process and do a far better job of screening law enforcement applicants and putting in place systems that provide protection and support for victims.
- Female Officer:
- Your book hit everything right on the head. Some things I hadn't managed to find words for—like the intimidation that's managed without a word. I knew it was there but hadn't put a name to it. Every female officer should read this!
- Human Rights and Human Services Department, City of Tacoma:
- I'm interested and we'll be sure to secure a copy of your new book for our department.
- Canadian police organization chaplain:
- These all look like they would be excellent publications to have around. This lady sounds like a great resource that I wish we could invite to speak.
- School principal:
- Your work is so important. I will hold onto the info and pass it on to anyone I think would be able to use its information. As a school principal, I saw institutional abuse in one form or another.
- Cmdr. Krista Osborne, Ph.D. (Ret.):
- Chillingly truthful, a read for anyone seeking deeper understanding of male-dominated professions.
- Librarian, Indiana State University:
- Thanks for the information. I have ordered a copy for our criminology section.
- Private counselor:
- This is something all therapists should read. After speaking with you last time I never thought about the situation for a female officer to be married to an officer!
- Various students:
- I am a Criminal Justice graduate student at the University of Alabama writing my thesis... I am a doctoral student in New York working on research in law enforcement perpetrated domestic violence... My thesis is on the role of stress as an influential factor in domestic violence within police families... I am currently completing my master's in counseling at Arizona State University...
- Rus Ervin Funk MSW, Author/Speaker/Trainer:
- This looks like a great resource!
- Staff, Iowa Attorney General Crime Victim Assistance Division:
- I will forward it on whenever I can.
- Evelyn Brom, Co-founder, One In Three Women:
- I am so impressed that you did not hold back, that you put it all out there and said what needed to be said. Very, very refreshing.
- Linda Bubon, Women & Children First Bookstore Co-owner:
- I wish having it on our shelves was enough to make every woman's book a bestseller! Congrats for tackling an important and neglected subject.
- Delaware State Police Trooper:
- Information of real use when I think about some of the innuendos in conversations with my women-in-law-enforcement group.
- P.O.S.T. Trainer:
- I definitely want to order the book. I can also make sure we direct attendees of the Officer-Involved DV courses to your Web site.
- Boulder County Corrections Officer:
- Your work is so important. I will pass it on to anyone I think would be able to use it.
- Ed Meyer, Akron Beacon reporter:
- You are to be commended for your work in exposing this all-too-frequent problem — hiding behind a blue uniform and a shiny badge.
- Public Library Acquisitions:
- Good information for both advocates and survivors of abuse; a resource for criminal justice programs, attorneys and police supervisors.
- Amazon.com reader:
- This is a great book whether the reader is a victim, family member or domestic violence advocate. Diane's writing is clear and she really breaks down the "blue wall of silence". It certainly helped me understand what was happening and that, as Diane says in her book, "I am not alone, I am not exaggerating, and I'm not crazy." I got the book directly from Diane when I called her.
Interested?
Want to learn more? You can read an excerpt.
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