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In August of 2005, Howard Rahtz was promoted to Captain
on the Cincinnati Police Department. He holds a BA in business administration and a master's degree
in counseling; and, he also completed the program at Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command and
the Law Enforcement Foundation's Police Executive Leadership College. In 1988 Howard Rahtz joined the Cincinnati Police
Department. He has held progressively responsible law enforcement and leadership positions within the police
department. Prior to his promotion, he was the Cincinnati Police Department’s coordinator for the
SWAT Crisis Negotiations Team.
Outside of his department career he is an adjunct instructor
at the University of Cincinnati and the Tri-State Regional Community Policing Institute; a member of the
International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association; and, editor of their Use of Force Journal. Captain Howard
Rahtz has authored five books on law enforcement: Understanding Police Use of Force and Community Policing: A Handbook
for Beat Cops and Supervisors,
Race, Riots, and the Police, Shots
Fired: Gun Violence in the Untied
States and Drugs, Crime and Violence:
From Trafficking to Treatment.
According to the book description of
Race, Riots, and the Police,
"Reflected almost daily in headlines,
the enormous rift between the police
and the communities they
serve―especially African American
communities―remains one of the major
challenges facing the United States.
And race-related riots continue to be
a violent manifestation of that rift.
Can this dismal state of affairs be
changed? Can the distrust between
black citizens and the police ever be
transformed into mutual respect?
Howard Rahtz addresses this issue,
first tracing the history of race
riots in the US and then drawing on
both the lessons of that history and
his own first-hand experience to offer
a realistic approach for developing
and maintaining a police force that is
a true community partner."
According to the book description of,
Shots Fired: Gun Violence in the
Untied States, "Mass killings.
Gang violence. Street crimes.
Suicides. Accidental shootings. The
United States is enduring a literal
epidemic of gun violence. Howard Rahtz,
drawing on decades of experience as a
police officer all too familiar with
the horrors that guns can cause,
delves deeply into the nature and
impact of this epidemic. Rahtz
explores each element of the triangle
of ability, desire, and opportunity
that typically characterizes gun
violence. Going further, he also
suggests practical, "left of bang"
preventative actions―steps that could
limit the violence while respecting
contentious Second Amendment rights."
According to the book description of
Drugs, Crime and Violence: From
Trafficking to Treatment,
"Forty years ago, President Richard
Nixon declared a “war on drugs.” Since
that time, the country has
incarcerated thousands of citizens and
spent billions of dollars, and yet the
drug problem rolls on. Today, the
illegal drug market funds
international terrorism, the horrific
drug war on the Mexican border, and
the senseless violence plaguing our
communities, large and small. It is
past time for a new direction. This
book provides a drug policy framework
that will choke off the revenue
supporting the illegal drug market.
Howard Rahtz outlines a series of drug
policy steps buttressed by a
historical review of drug policy
measures, a review of international
efforts against trafficking, and a
clear understanding of the dynamics of
addiction and its role in facilitating
the illegal drug market."
According to the book description of Understanding
Police Use of Force, “This even-handed and comprehensive discussion is intended to facilitate informed
discussion among citizens, police and students on the use of force in law enforcement. Topics include: definitions; the legal
framework; options for the use of force; steps to minimze the use of force; what to do when the worst happens; the racial
divide; and towards better policy and understanding.” Of the book, Ed Nowicki (The Use of Force Journal)
stated, “A very good book that should be the concern of every officer from line officer to supervisor.”
One reader of Understanding
Police Use of Force said, “Howard Rahtz has written a very perceptive, thoughtful piece on the appropriate
use of force in police situations. He brings in examples that can only come from years of experience in the field, and he
makes you think about how the use and threat of force is part and parcel of everyday police work. He points out that in many
situations cops should think about their actions, even when ordinary citizens would not think twice about whether police force
was appropriate.”
According to the book description of
Community Policing: A Handbook for Beat Cops and Supervisors, “This practical and clearly
written manual explains the advantages and "how to" of effective community policing. Lt. Rahtz describes many examples
of successful community policing, drawn from his own distinguished career as a Cincinnati police officer and manager, and
from the research literature.
In community policing, patrol officers enlist community
members as partners in solving local problems that breed crime and disorder. This does not mean that community policing is
the same as "social work," "public relations" or being "soft on crime." To the contrary, working
cooperatively with the community can help patrol officers become more effective in preventing and solving crimes. And community
policing is usually more satisfying and less frustrating for the cop on the beat than the "treadmill" of chasing
radio calls.
Community policing is neither complicated
nor difficult to put into practice, according to Lt. Rahtz. The author offers step-by-step guidance for forging productive
partnerships between patrol officers and community members. He then illustrates the use of problem-solving methods in community
policing, and outlines the key supporting roles played by police supervisors and administrators. A wealth of suggestions and
resources are provided to illustrate how officers can get started with effective community policing.”
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