The Politics of Crisis: An Insider’s Prescription to Prevent Public Policy Disasters

Across the country, marginalized communities feel under attack by police officers. The Politics of Crisis explores how to change public policy decisions to reform the role of law enforcement. Centered around the harrowing events of the Freddie Gray riots that gripped Baltimore in 2015, The Politics of Crisis is a powerful examination of how everything can go wrong when police no longer serve their communities.

Eric Kowalczyk, Director of Media Relations for the Baltimore Police Department during the riots, provides a firsthand account of what it’s like to be on the front lines, responding to the pressures of a community, the media, and the politics of a city in crisis. Blending humor, research, and deeply personal experiences, The Politics of Crisis offers a prescription to prevent disaster from striking again.

“The violence and injustice that ripped Baltimore apart is only one part of the story. Eric Kowalczyk explains how we got there, and how we can move forward nationwide.”
-Arnette F. Heintze, CEO, Hillard Heintze, US Secret Service (Ret.)

“The words in this book are needed not just for Baltimore; they are needed for every city in the country. At a time when too many communities feel lost, this book offers them a path forward filled with hope.”
-Lissa Druss, CEO, Strategia Consulting, nine-time Emmy Award-winning journalist

“Absolutely phenomenal! What Eric is doing in this book is using his experiences in Baltimore as a ‘case study’ for building a bridge between policing and community engagement. Masterful and engaging …I couldn’t put the book down.”
-Dr. Marc A. De Simone, Sr., Professor, University of Maryland University College, author of Lessons in Leadership from the
War of 1812