Out of the Darkness and into the Blue

Surprising Secrets, Tactics, and Training Concepts, A Memoir from One of Kalamazoo's Top Cops

By: Robert T. Christensen

Narrated by: Jeff Hoyt

For 25 years, peace officer Robert T. Christensen patrolled the streets of Kalamazoo, keenly aware every decision he made could have serious, even fatal, consequences. He learned this lesson early in his career, when a belligerent suspect beat the young rookie unconscious.

Throughout his career, Christensen made a habit of reviewing his actions. What tactics had he used? What immediate circumstances prompted his decisions? Could a slight change in strategy have improved the outcome? Viewing every situation as a learning experience molded Christensen into one of Kalamazoo's top cops.

Out of the Darkness and into the Blue recounts the most significant encounters in Christensen's career, but is more than the exciting memoirs of a veteran police officer. Christensen follows each chapter with a thorough analysis, discussing tactics, and training concepts relevant to his experiences.

Along the way, Christensen tackles many of the most important topics in law enforcement today, from racial profiling and deadly force to the challenges LGBT individuals face in a predominantly heterosexual field.

A fascinating exploration of one police officer's thought processes, Out of the Darkness and into the Blue is an entertaining listen and valuable resource for anyone learning about - or serving in - the criminal justice system.

©2014 Robert T. Christensen (P)2014 Robert T. Christensen

couldn't stop listening

Extremely insightful look into the work of police officers. Not only is this book very educational to police officers but also it provides a great understanding to citizens of the daily pressures of police work and the situations they face.

Wow I wish all of the Book would have been his

This is really good until he decides to teach procedural. That is really waste of time since each Department has its on way of making traffic stops. Deadly Force situations etc. I am a Retired Chief of Police with 28 years. Now the Book is Amazing with the great Storys that he has been thru. i will try him again.

great stories from a great cop

tells great stories but takes the time to give tactical advice as well, a must read

amazing

This book makes me want to be a better piece officer every single day, thank you for the insight on the time of your watch, which will never truly end.

awesome book

I encourage all people who are looking into law enforcement and all people who are new officers to read this book. There are some great insights on the value of community policing and a few officer safety tips. The book is a great Balance of an entertaining story mixed with a training manual. If you only pick up one thing in this book it could make a big difference in how you do your job. THIS IS A MUST READ.

Very Informative.

This book was very informative. It gave me a very descriptive view of what sone of the experiences look, smell, and feel like that an officer experiences.

The book for the People who want to be a cop

Todd Christensen was someone I met when I started my first venture to being a law enforcement officer. I met him first in my class posted in Kalamazoo. He is someone with whom I hold respect for, as he is the definition of a true leader.

This book acts not only as a memoir but as a book of what the life holds of being a law enforcement officer. It is something that I recommend to all my law enforcement friends and colleagues. If you don't know that you want to take on the life, read this book and consider it closely. If you do decide to do so, this book will help you to get ready for the academy and first few years as a new officer.

Great Insight

This is a great listen for anyone wanting a thorough and in depth account of the personal experiences of a police officer. This book is in my top two of the books that I've listened to on audible addressing the topic of being a cop. Officer Todd also gives useful advice for aspiring officers from his experience as an instructor at the policy academy and army drill Sargent. Thank you officer Todd for your service to the nation and writing this book. I salute you.

Loved it.

So glad I listened to this audiobook. Very well written. Kalamazoo is lucky to have ppl like this protecting it. Great representations of the city, it's facilities and fellow officers. Very well written. I grew up living mostly on the corner of Grant and Davis St. and I will say, I cannot believe we had this super-human in the making, guarding us and our families! We all lived and breathed every moment this officer has taken us through, here. I had no idea the dept hadn't had an officer killed will on duty until 2011! Beyond impressive. I have no words for this, except...well done👏 Beyond being the unbelievable human beings that were built through the years physically and mentally to be our protection, you all had relationships with us. You all felt the same pain and blows through the years, as we did. This man's most painful moments, were just as painful for us all and it's kind of comforting to hear that to this day, we all carry the same painful memories. Didn't matter who you were, everyone felt the same blows. But we all still have pride and love for our hometown. This officer couldn't have represented our city any better. This book makes me even prouder to say it's my hometown.

Good book

Enjoyed listening would recommend interesting stories and interesting department fire/police wondering if they still do fire calls