I Love a Cop, Revised Edition: What Police Families Need to Know [Paperback]

Ellen Kirschman PhD (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 159385353X | ISBN-13: 978-1593853532 | Publication Date: December 16, 2006 | Edition: Revised

Nothing worth doing is easy--and that includes loving a cop. Being a member of the law enforcement community is a source of pride for officers and families alike. But long hours, unpredictable shifts, and the crisis-driven nature of the profession can turn life on the home front into an emotional roller coaster ride. Dr. Ellen Kirschman, a psychologist who’s worked with police officers for more than 20 years, gives you practical ways to deal with the challenges that come with the territory. Packed with stories from cops and their significant others, this book explains how to reduce spillover from on-the-job stress and cope with loneliness or worry during extended deployments. Dr. Kirschman acknowledges the tough realities of post-9/11, post-Katrina law enforcement, and she offers frank, realistic suggestions for handling serious issues like alcohol abuse and domestic violence. She also covers special topics for women and minorities on the force. Whether you read it from cover to cover or reach for it when problems arise, I Love a Cop is an indispensable tool that everyone in your family can depend on.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is as necessary for the overall survival of our law enforcement officers as their vests, weapons, and officer safety tactics. The realities of the job have changed in the post-9/11 world, and the revised edition arrives just in time. Dr. Kirschman provides an in-depth look at the daily challenges facing the law enforcement officer and family, and offers specific strategies for overcoming the pitfalls that potentially take such a heavy toll. This book should be issued to every recruit entering the profession."--Kevin M. Gilmartin, PhD, author of Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement

"When I was Police Chief in Toronto, every graduating police officer received a copy of [i]I Love A Cop[/i]. The revised edition convinces me even more that it is the right thing to do if you wish to promote wellness in your organization. This is a 'must read' for all progressive police leaders who really care about officers and their families."--David Boothby, Chief of Police (Retired), Toronto, Ontario, Canada

About the Author

Ellen Kirschman, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and consultant who works with peace officers and their families. She has written extensively about police culture and is sought after as a speaker and seminar leader. Dr. Kirschman has been an invited guest at the FBI Academy and is a member of the Psychological Services Section of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. She is a cofounder of www.policefamilies.com and maintains a website for the public at www.ellenkirschman.com. In 2000, Dr. Kirschman was named Woman of Distinction by the Police Chiefs Spouses Worldwide. She lives in Redwood City, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; Revised edition (December 16, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159385353X
• ISBN-13: 978-1593853532
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

People always ask if I'm married to a cop because of the title of my book. I'm not, I'm married to a remodeling contractor. But I do love a fire fighter, my older brother, who served as a volunteer fire fighter for sixteen years.

I'm a clinical psychologist, consultant, and trainer with over twenty years experience working with public safety personnel, their agencies, and their families. I'm co-founder, along with Dr. Lorraine Greene of the website, policefamilies.com. In 2000 I had the honor to be named Woman of Distinction by the Police Chiefs Spouses Worldwide. In 2010 I was given an award by the police and public safety division of the American Psychological Association for outstanding contribution to police psychology.

I travel world-wide giving workshops, seminars and keynote speeches. Here is a sample of some of my workshops: "Bringing it Home: Strengthening Your Police Family-a Workshop for Couples"; "Target Hardening: Self-care Skills for Police Officers" ; "The First Responder's First Responder: Creating Effective Family Orientations"; and "Healing Our Protectors: A Workshop for Clinicians Who Treat First Responders." You can read about these workshops and more on my website, www.ellenkirschman.com.

I love to hear from readers. My email is [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intended especially for the loved ones of police offers, April 11, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Love a Cop, Revised Edition: What Police Families Need to Know (Paperback)

Written by clinical psychologist Ellen Kirschman, Ph.D., whose specific area of expertise lies in helping police officers and their families, I Love a Cop: What Police Families Need To Know is a straightforward, "tell-the-facts" guide, now in a newly revised edition, written especially for the significant others, spouses, and family members of police officers. Being a cop is a demanding job, and sometimes the very skills required for competence - such as being able to suppress strong emotions like fear, anger, or even compassion - are harmful to officers' private and personal lives if carried over to the home. I Love a Cop gives practical, no-nonsense advice to what to expect from the demands of the job, coping with stress or trauma, and much more. Of especial value are the chapters about dealing with domestic abuse, threats of suicide, or other severe cases and problems - including how to recognize the warning signs and when there is no other option than to just get out. Though I Love a Cop is intended especially for the loved ones of police offers, its solid advice is also highly recommended for the loved ones of anyone in a high-stress, risky or demanding occupation. I Love a Cop is also highly recommended as supplemental reading for anyone considering a policing career, as there is also plenty of sage wisdom about what to expect on the job and how to balance demands of the job with those of family life.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good information to have, May 4, 2008

By 

copmomma - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Love a Cop, Revised Edition: What Police Families Need to Know (Paperback)

This book is pretty good at explaining what goes on in police families although a lot of families, mine included, are not really included in this book. I guess you could say we have a good family life and my husband does not bring his work home with him. We do talk about everything though so I am not shut out of his work. It gave me a better understanding of the stresses he has to deal with and what to look out for in case hethings change. Again, good book but more from a clinical point of view.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars MUST HAVE BOOK, February 13, 2008

By 

A. Davis (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Love a Cop, Revised Edition: What Police Families Need to Know (Paperback)

This is a must have for anyone going into, thinking about going into or already in Law enforcement; especially if you are married or getting married. This book will help prepare you for the social and personal hardships you will face as a police officer. The author uses real stories from police family's to give the reader ways of working out problems in the family unit that are caused directly because of work. This book will not only help you as the cop prepare for whats to come but it will help your loved once understand what you go through on a daily basis and give you the tools you need to have a healthy relationship while serving your community.