POLICE OFFICER WRITERS - Edward Nowicki

Executive Director of the National Criminal Justice Training Council (NCJTC) and 33 year law enforcement veteran, in addition to being one of the founders and the first Executive Directors of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET). He holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an M.A. in Management. A recipient of many prestigious awards, Ed has been judicially recognized as a Use of Force Expert in many courts across the nation and he has taught various use of force programs both across the nation and internationally. He developed the Use of Force Program and is a Master Instructor in both the OCAT Program and the Handcuffing Program, in addition to being an Instructor Trainer with the Tasertron TASER. Ed is a survivor of six separate shooting incidents, and he has authored a number of books and over 200 law enforcement articles. His books include “True Blue: True Stories about Real Cops” and “Total Survival: A Comprehensive Guide for the Physical, Emotional and Professional Survival of Law Enforcement Officers.

About the Chicago Police Department

On January 31, 1835, the State of Illinois authorized the Town of Chicago to establish its own police force. On August 15, Orsemus Morrison is elected Chicago's first constable, assisted by Constables Luther Nichols and John Shrigley. The three-man police force serves and protects a population of about 3,200. The Police Department pre-dates Chicago as a city.

Today, the Chicago Police Department is the second largest in the United States, serving approximately 2.9 million residents within the 228 square miles that constitutes the City of Chicago. The Chicago Police Department had, at the end of 2005, 13,323 sworn police officers and over 2,000 civilian personnel.

The Chicago Police Department is divided into 25 police districts. Each district has between 9 and 15 police beats, with a total 281 beats throughout the city of Chicago. Each of the 25 police districts is led by a district commander who, in addition to uniformed police officers, has teams of undercover tactical and gang police officers at his or her disposal. The Chicago Police Department Districts are organized into five larger organization entities called Areas. These area commanders report to the Bureau of Patrol.

In addition to the Bureau of Patrol, the Chicago Police Department has four other bureaus: Bureau of Investigative Services; Bureau of Strategic Deployment; Bureau of Crime Strategy and Accountability; and, the Bureau of Administrative services. Instead of a Chief of Police, the Chicago Police Department has a Superintendent of Police; and, the Bureau commanders hold the rank of Deputy Superintendent.