"Blue Bias", by Charles D. Hayes, is a great reference whether you are in law enforcement or not as it covers the thought process of how those in the field of public safety view and react to particular situations and focuses on how to remove biased or racist opinions. Hayes begins by giving an inside look at how policing can affect officers and describing the history of a bias mindset taking the reader on a journey into the law officer’s mind.
Aside from the history of a bias and prejudice thought process and the explanation of why people tend to think or assume opinions at certain times, Hayes dedicates a chapter on the various parts of the brain and what areas control certain thoughts. This interesting chapter provides a factual look at how the brain works. With that, since Hayes was a former officer himself, he delves into some of his own experiences during his career and how those situations were handled giving readers a true inside look into the mind of an officer.
Blue Bias is a good book to refer to for those who are about to attend the police academy, are in the midst of it, or are still rookies as well as for civilians who wish to understand the mind of a police officer better. The experience and the knowledge Hayes has provides an outlook on how to limit prejudice in policing. It is an intellectual and interesting book for all audiences.
Hilary Rodela
Hilary Rodela is currently a Surveillance Officer, a former Private Investigator, a former Crime Scene Investigator, and Evidence Technician. She worked for the Ruidoso (NM) Police Department as well as the Lubbock (TX) Police Department. She has written for several public safety publications and has extensive law enforcement and forensic training and is pursuing forensic expertise in various disciplines. Hilary is a freelance public safety writer and curriculum developer for the National Investigative Training Academy.
