From DC Streets to Chief’s Seat

As a Black youth growing up on the streets of Washington, DC, a career in law enforcement was the furthest thing from Clarence Edwards’s mind. In From DC Streets to Chief’s Seat, Edwards shares his journey from his teenage years on the streets to becoming the chief of police in Montgomery County, MD. Edwards recounts stories of how preparation, performance, and perseverance were integral to the growth and development of his resilience, which he credits for his personal and professional success.

Edwards emphasizes the importance of designing programs that foster resilience in those preparing for careers in law enforcement.

Such a commitment, Edwards argues, will yield myriad benefits, including reducing protests and calls to defund or eliminate the police. To that end, he shares insights into best practices for hiring, training, and supervising candidates for careers in law enforcement; educating police recruits on the true mission and history of policing in the United States; providing opportunities for police recruits to interact with and listen to the concerns of people in the communities before their law enforcement training begins; the importance of non-bias training throughout a police officer’s career; and effective methods for monitoring and disciplining police officers’ behavior.

From DC Streets to Chief’s Seat is a must-read for anyone concerned about reducing friction among police and minorities, especially elected officials overseeing police, law enforcement officials, and tenured personnel.