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Into the Kill Zone: A Cop's Eye View of Deadly Force

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David Klinger (Author)
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David Klinger (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 64 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0787986032
ISBN-10: 0787986038
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Frequently Bought Together

  • Into the Kill Zone: A Cop's Eye View of Deadly Force
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  • On Combat, The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Jossey-Bass (September 22, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0787986038
  • ISBN-13: 978-0787986032
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 8.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #373,199 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsThe Power of A Good Story, the Authenticity of the Truth
By G. Passantino on May 10, 2004
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
I ran across this book in my local bookstore and bought it primarily for research. I was soon captivated by the author's ability to step aside from the subjects of his research and let them tell their own stories in their own ways. The book is broken down into 5 main stages any officer involved in a shooting will go through: before you become an officer, basic training, instances when you could have shot but didn't, the shooting incident itself, and the aftermath (including investigation and responses). In each case, the officers speak for themselves. The ring of authenticity is unmistakable. I commend Klinger for resisting the impulse to "clean up" the accounts to make them fit some preconceived assumptions about what an officer "should" be thinking, experiencing, or remembering. The book also gives information on how to access Kinger's complete final report (the academic exercise behind the stunning testimonies) on the Internet. This is a profound introduction for a general reader and a powerful affirmation of officer integrity for those with a special interest in the subject, especially for those who are or know officers themselves.
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4.0 out of 5 starsEye Opening
By Jeff Richardson on September 20, 2004
Format: Hardcover
I thought the best way to begin this review is to start by stating what "Into the Kill Zone" is not. This book isn't:

1.) A graphic description of police shootings

2.) A psycho-social monograph on police officers who have shot people

This isn't to say that there aren't elements of both of the aforementioned items contained within the book; however, those expecting copious amounts of blood and gore should look elsewhere while those dreading a dry, academic treatise should read on.

David Klinger is a Sociologist who teaches criminology at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. His qualifications to write on the topic of deadly force are unique and extend beyond his CV. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Klinger was a policeman. On July 25, 1981, just 4 months out of the Los Angeles Police Academy, 23 year old David Klinger was forced to shoot and kill a man who was attacking his partner with a butcher's knife. As might be expected, the shooting shocked the author and ultimately changed his career path. After another 3 years of police work, Mr. Klinger quit the force and entered graduate school. Eventually he earned his Ph.D. and in time, got a grant from the United States Department of Justice to study the impact of shootings on officers. The present book draws on the that research.

Each of the 5 chapters of "Into the Kill Zone" consist of stories told in the officers own words. Additionally, the chapters all deal with deadly force in some way. Chapter 1 concerns how the officers came to choose a career in law enforcement and their thoughts on the prospect of using

deadly force prior to joining the police force. Chapter 2 is about basic training and how it affected their attitudes vis-a-vis deadly force.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsLife and death decided in the blink of an eye
By Joshua Steele on February 3, 2005
Format: Hardcover
I grabbed a copy of KILL ZONE after Malcolm Gladwell described it as "fascinating" and "extraordinary" in his new book BLINK. KILL ZONE does not disappoint. In fact, it is a wonderful read, taking the reader inside the hearts and minds of our nation's police officers in a way I've never seen before. KILL ZONE presents the stories of dozens of cops who have shot suspects in the line of duty and lived to tell about it. In five lucid chapters, it covers 1) why men and women become cops, 2) the training young officers receive about making the ultimate decision that Gladwell focused on in the last chapter of BLINK, 3) how cops manage to avoid pulling the trigger when they have justification to do so (some incredibly scary stuff), 4) gunfights (the stories of officers' perceptions during shootings, as Gladwell touched on in BLINK, are quite amazing), and 5) how officers live with the knowledge that they have shot someone. I was particularly taken by the story of a young female officer who killed a carjacker after he shot her through the heart, staved off death by the sheer force of her will, and then went back to work to keep protecting her community. In all, KILL ZONE offers a compelling portrait of how America's cops deal with the awesome power they have over life and death. Like I said in my review of BLINK, anyone who wants to learn more about decision making under extreme pressure and the intriguing topic of police shootings should do what I did and read Klinger's KILL ZONE
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5.0 out of 5 starsAn Engrossing, Fascinating Read
By Aaron Kerr on April 22, 2004
Format: Hardcover
I first heard about this recently-released book when I caught part of an interview with the author on our local public radio station. He told the story of how a life-and-deadh situation four months into his police career forced him to take the life of a violent criminal in order to save his partner's life.
Having two close friends who are police officers, the subject immediatly interested me. I picked up the book and was instantly hooked. From the first few pages, this book gives you a "from the inside" look at deadly force situations. The book is interesting from start to finish. It raises important questions and gives the reader a point of view that is often overlooked. I strongly recommend this read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Good book for a Policeman..

Published 1 month ago by RW Mears
4.0 out of 5 starsMust Read Book on Police and the Decision to Use Deadly Force

Excellent book written by a former police officer, now professor of criminology and criminal justice. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Cynthia Lee
3.0 out of 5 starsbut still a good read.

Becoming a little outdated, but still a good read.

Published 4 months ago by Ashlee K
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Great book for those in Law Enforcement one way or the other.

Published 5 months ago by Pledger C Coalson Jr
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

good book

Published 5 months ago by Dorothy E. Whittington
5.0 out of 5 starsInteresting read on how police think before, during and ...

Interesting read on how police think before, during and after shootings, especially during current times and the anti-police climate. Read more

Published 7 months ago by Scotty S
4.0 out of 5 starsGood book

Very interesting book with many excellent examples of law enforcement interactions with violent criminal offenders. Read more

Published 7 months ago by Steven B
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

Good read

Published 9 months ago by Michael J. Bahr
4.0 out of 5 starsA view of what police officers encounter

With all the bad publicity about police officers recently, this is an educational insight into their personal experiences that involve shootings or near shootings. Read more

Published 10 months ago by malarky1
5.0 out of 5 starsI highly recommend this book

Very helpful book. Some experiences in life a very difficult to discuss. So to read first person accounts from people who have been in similar incidents helps make it clear that... Read more

Published 11 months ago by Mike

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