An Introduction to Policing

John S. Dempsey is Professor Emeritus of Criminal Justice at State University of New York (SUNY), Suffolk County Community College. He also teaches criminal justice and public administration courses at SUNY, Empire State College, where he serves as a mentor for ranking members of law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. Mr. Dempsey was a member of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) from 1964 until 1988, serving as a police officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant and captain, focusing on both patrol and investigations. Mr. Dempsey received seven citations for meritorious and excellent police duty. After retiring from the NYPD, he served as Professor of Criminal Justice at Suffolk County Community College on Eastern Long Island, where he received the college's prestigious "Who Made a Difference Award" for his teaching and work with students. Mr. Dempsey lectures throughout the country on policing and criminal justice issues and is a member of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), ASIS International, the Northeastern Association of Criminal Justice Sciences (NEACJS) and the Criminal Justice Educators Association of New York State (CJEANYS). He has received the Outstanding Contributor Award from the ACJS Community College Section and the Fellows Award from the NEAJS. Mr. Dempsey has written several books on policing and security. He received his Associate of Arts Degree and his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Behavioral Science from the City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Long Island University and his Master's Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, the John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Linda S. Forst is a professor of criminal justice at Shoreline Community College in Seattle, Washington, where she also serves on the Board of Law Enforcement Training Standards and Education for the State of Washington. Ms. Forst is a retired police captain from the Boca Raton (Florida) Police Services Department, where she served as a patrol officer, investigator, sergeant, lieutenant and captain. She spent most of her career in patrol, but also worked in investigations, professional standards, training, hiring and support services. Ms. Forst was the department's first female field training officer, sergeant, lieutenant and captain, and she has extensive training in accident investigation, domestic violence, sexual violence, community policing and police management. She received numerous commendations during her career and earned numerous gold medals from the state and International Police Olympics. She also served on the board of directors for a local battered women's shelter for many years. An author of numerous magazine, journal and newspaper publications, Ms. Forst regularly presents at conferences and to community groups. She has written several popular books on policing. Ms. Forst earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice, her Master's Degree in Community College Education and her Doctorate Degree in Adult Education from Florida Atlantic University. She is a graduate of University of Louisville's Sex Crime Investigation School and Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command. Ms. Forst is a member of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS), the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and has instructed for Northwestern's School of Police Staff and Command as well as Palm Beach Community College and Florida Atlantic University.

Steven B. Carter is a retired police sergeant from the Modesto (California) Police Department. He joined the department in 1985 as a Police Reserve and served as a police officer, detective, patrol sergeant, training sergeant, administrative services sergeant and acting watch commander. While a patrol officer, he hosted a weekly live television show (CrimeLine) on the local cable station and was the recipient of a "Telly Award" for a segment on domestic violence. As a detective, he was assigned to economic crimes and burglary and was a member of the homicide crime scene team, acting as crime scene manager. He has presented before the California State Assembly Central Valley Legislative Law Summit on computer crimes and law enforcement response. As administrative sergeant, he supervised background investigations, and as training sergeant, he proposed and implemented a departmental five-year training plan and started the "Leadership in Police Organizations" program in Modesto. He is a graduate of the Los Angeles Police Department's West Point Leadership Program and is a California POST Master Instructor. He has served as a Peer Review Panel member for the Edward Byrne Grant Funding Program through the Department of Justice and is a prior member of the City of Modesto Planning Commission.