Rise of the Warrior Cop

Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America's Police Forces is a 2013 publication by investigative reporter Radley Balko that explores the growing militarization within U.S. law enforcement agencies.

Summary

Balko contends that the War on Drugs, which began in the 1960s, has significantly contributed to the expansion of police authority and influence, often without adequate oversight. The author outlines the evolution of contemporary policing by examining law enforcement methods from the eras of the Roman Republic, Medieval England, and Colonial America. Additionally, he interprets the Third Amendment to the United States Constitution as an implicit limitation on the use of military or paramilitary forces in everyday criminal policing.

Reception

Rise of the Warrior Cop was met with favorable critiques from diverse political viewpoints. Former Texas Representative and Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul commended it as a thorough examination connecting drug policy enforcement to police militarization, resonating with advocates for civil liberties and proponents of limited government alike. Journalist and ex-constitutional attorney Glenn Greenwald described the book as "dynamic and persuasive," emphasizing its significance in safeguarding American political freedoms.

In a review for National Review, Jack Dunphy largely endorsed Balko’s arguments, particularly regarding the overuse of SWAT teams and insufficient accountability measures, which he noted pose risks to public safety.

Bibliography

• Balko, Radley. Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America's Police Forces. PublicAffairs, 2013.
• Rosman, David. "A book review by David Rosman: Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America's Police Forces." New York Journal of Books. Accessed January 3, 2018.
• Gregory, Anthony. "Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America's Police Forces, by Radley Balko." The Independent Institute. Accessed January 3, 2018.
• Goldstein, Diane. "Review: Radley Balko's Rise of the Warrior Cop." Huffington Post, July 9, 2013. Accessed January 3, 2018.
• Schneier, Bruce. "The Army in Our Midst." Wall Street Journal, August 5, 2013. Accessed January 3, 2018.
• Dunphy, Jack. "Watching the Watchmen." National Review, August 18, 2013. Accessed January 3, 2018.
• "Rise of the Warrior Cop by Radley Balko [Review]." Kirkus Reviews. Accessed January 4, 2018.