What's the best way to research a police procedural? - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T07:47:02Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:127602?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A137618&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThanks so much Lee I do check…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-04-22:537324:Comment:1376182008-04-22T06:03:47.562Zcarole gillhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
Thanks so much Lee I do check it all the time--it's the best book out there. Also your blog is so helpful too. I had for awhile (too long) set the thing here in the U.K. but I never felt right with that--so I switched. I find it easier to write back on familiar territory. But having set it back home--I then decided to set it back timewise. I've been away for so long--I didn't think I had the feel anymore for the present. So I set it in the 1950's, actually it's working well for me because I…
Thanks so much Lee I do check it all the time--it's the best book out there. Also your blog is so helpful too. I had for awhile (too long) set the thing here in the U.K. but I never felt right with that--so I switched. I find it easier to write back on familiar territory. But having set it back home--I then decided to set it back timewise. I've been away for so long--I didn't think I had the feel anymore for the present. So I set it in the 1950's, actually it's working well for me because I find it more fun writing it hardboiled that way. My Detectives wear hats--people smoke all over the place, I LOVE IT! anyway, thanks Lee for your help. I'd be happy to answer your q…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-04-22:537324:Comment:1376012008-04-22T02:18:29.793ZLee Loflandhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/125Lee
I'd be happy to answer your questions, too. My book, Police Procedure and Investigation, A Guide For Writers, might have some information in it you could use. Also, you might want to check out my blog The Graveyard Shift.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/">http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/</a>
I'd be happy to answer your questions, too. My book, Police Procedure and Investigation, A Guide For Writers, might have some information in it you could use. Also, you might want to check out my blog The Graveyard Shift.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/">http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/</a> Thank you for your reply. No,…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-04-16:537324:Comment:1367882008-04-16T07:41:41.302Zcarole gillhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
Thank you for your reply. No, I'm here in Yorkshire, England due to marriage. So unfortnately I can't get to those accessible public information officers--when I had intended to set my wip in the U.K. I did get an offer of help--here, but then I decided as I am an American, I'm best off writing as one, and setting my work there.<br />
But I do thank you about questions and the like.<br />
I happened to read your blog today and I loved it! Yes, what we all need is a place to go or possibly a specialized…
Thank you for your reply. No, I'm here in Yorkshire, England due to marriage. So unfortnately I can't get to those accessible public information officers--when I had intended to set my wip in the U.K. I did get an offer of help--here, but then I decided as I am an American, I'm best off writing as one, and setting my work there.<br />
But I do thank you about questions and the like.<br />
I happened to read your blog today and I loved it! Yes, what we all need is a place to go or possibly a specialized soft ware program, we put our ideas for a novel in and out comes a completed MS! and it's different every time so it's original! what a great idea like your factory for books! Connie has a new book out? Ne…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-04-16:537324:Comment:1367822008-04-16T03:11:24.821ZDoug M. Cummingshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DougMCummings
Connie has a new book out? News to me...thanks, Dana. She's a terrific person and one hell of a writer. I keep trying to persuade her to write a novel.
Connie has a new book out? News to me...thanks, Dana. She's a terrific person and one hell of a writer. I keep trying to persuade her to write a novel. I'll second what Beth says. H…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-04-16:537324:Comment:1367792008-04-16T03:08:29.566ZDoug M. Cummingshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DougMCummings
I'll second what Beth says. Having been a cop, and then having covered cops as a reporter for twenty-some years, I've never attended one of the academies but have had about a dozen friends say the same thing Beth did. I understand even the FBI puts one on in the cities where they have field offices.<br />
If nothing else, most police departments have Public Information Officers willing to field a wide variety of questions or direct you to specialists in a particular field.<br />
On another note, you might…
I'll second what Beth says. Having been a cop, and then having covered cops as a reporter for twenty-some years, I've never attended one of the academies but have had about a dozen friends say the same thing Beth did. I understand even the FBI puts one on in the cities where they have field offices.<br />
If nothing else, most police departments have Public Information Officers willing to field a wide variety of questions or direct you to specialists in a particular field.<br />
On another note, you might want to check my blog from time to time (<a href="http://everysecretcrime.blogspot.com">http://everysecretcrime.blogspot.com</a>) as I occasionally get reader questions about cop stuff. Or send me an email on here. Just ordered EVERY CONTACT LE…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-17:537324:Comment:1315112008-03-17T10:06:29.069Zcarole gillhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
Just ordered EVERY CONTACT LEAVES A TRACE. I'm going with that one first and will see about the others. Right now, I've got bodies all over the place and I want to feel it's truth. Thanks Dana.
Just ordered EVERY CONTACT LEAVES A TRACE. I'm going with that one first and will see about the others. Right now, I've got bodies all over the place and I want to feel it's truth. Thanks Dana. you are really lucky. I would…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-17:537324:Comment:1315042008-03-17T08:54:23.304Zcarole gillhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
you are really lucky. I would be at everyone of those classes. it's so open and accessable.
you are really lucky. I would be at everyone of those classes. it's so open and accessable. thanks so much for that. Note…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-17:537324:Comment:1315022008-03-17T08:53:21.350Zcarole gillhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PhyllisDietrichson
thanks so much for that. Noted! sure will look into those. i'm still going by my seat and I'm half way through the first draft! I printed out what I had and it made sense! I do notes too. of course I "forgot" some things==so I started a file called CORRECTIONS. again, thanks Dana.
thanks so much for that. Noted! sure will look into those. i'm still going by my seat and I'm half way through the first draft! I printed out what I had and it made sense! I do notes too. of course I "forgot" some things==so I started a file called CORRECTIONS. again, thanks Dana. I don't know about the UK, bu…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-17:537324:Comment:1314382008-03-17T01:46:25.465ZBeth Groundwaterhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BethGroundwater
I don't know about the UK, but in the USA, many police departments have Citizens Academies, where ordinary citizens can take evening classes that culminate in a 10-hour-shift ride-along to learn what police do. It's good public relations for the community and can be a source of volunteers for the police charities/departments that need them. When I went to my local county sheriff's citizen academy, there were 5 mystery writers in the class of 25 of so, and we got put up front since we asked so…
I don't know about the UK, but in the USA, many police departments have Citizens Academies, where ordinary citizens can take evening classes that culminate in a 10-hour-shift ride-along to learn what police do. It's good public relations for the community and can be a source of volunteers for the police charities/departments that need them. When I went to my local county sheriff's citizen academy, there were 5 mystery writers in the class of 25 of so, and we got put up front since we asked so many questions.:) We got to tour the county morgue, the local jail, and the firing range and had classes taught by a drug investigation officer, a homicide detective, a arson investigator and more. At the end we had a fancy little graduation ceremony and received a certificate from teh sheriff. It was fascinating! I highly recommend any of Con…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-16:537324:Comment:1313972008-03-16T21:40:46.069ZDana Kinghttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DanaKing
I highly recommend any of Connie Fletcher's books for a flavor of police life from the inside.WHAT COPS KNOW, PURE COP, BREAKING AND ENTERING, and EVERY CONTACT LEAVES A TRACE are all excellent and insightful, as Fletcher steps away and allows the cops and techs to speak directly to you. Her newest is called CRIME SCENE. I haven't read it yet, only because I just found out about it a minute ago.
I highly recommend any of Connie Fletcher's books for a flavor of police life from the inside.WHAT COPS KNOW, PURE COP, BREAKING AND ENTERING, and EVERY CONTACT LEAVES A TRACE are all excellent and insightful, as Fletcher steps away and allows the cops and techs to speak directly to you. Her newest is called CRIME SCENE. I haven't read it yet, only because I just found out about it a minute ago.