Crisis Management for Law Enforcement explores the knowledge base and procedures necessary for a law enforcement leader to plan, mitigate, and respond to a crisis and the subsequent consequences. A feature of the textbook is that actual events are explored in a Lessons Learned section. This feature not only provides the law enforcement leader with lessons in what he or she should do, but also addresses those actions he or she should not take.

Situational awareness is explored from strategic and tactical standpoints to provide the leader an understanding of the value of both. Crisis Management also provides tactical situational awareness and guidance for the onsite leader in tactical decision making. Mental preparation by leaders is examined with an emphasis on avoiding the "it cannot happen here" mindset common to many intense or large-scale incidents. As mass violence events continue, the negative mindset of many leaders is challenged to consider actions needed to mitigate both large scale and intense incidents prior to their occurring. The "pre thinking prior to the event" and "preplanning" prior to the event are emphasized in the second edition.

Essential information is provided to allow the law enforcement leader to function in the dynamic and evolving environment of terrorism, WMD, natural disasters, and public disorder. The incidents involving active aggressive behavior, usually called active shooters, using any weapon is addressed. Firearms are not the only weapon as edged weapons, flammable liquids, and IEDs are within the realm of possibilities one must prepare for and respond to. The dynamics of leadership during a crisis are discussed with a focus of avoiding "group think" and using pre-planning and mental preparation prior to the incident. The unusual methods of attack continue to demonstrate the free thinking and adapting to countermeasures used by criminals, HVEs, and terrorists. This type of effort to defeat law enforcement countermeasures is addressed in the second edition.

The problems inherent in evacuations, emergency sheltering, sheltering in place, and access issues are discussed and problems such as interagency interfaces, Law Enforcement Incident Management System, and NIMS are addressed. Decision making is explored with legal concepts involving "who is in charge," forcible evacuations, scene access, and interagency operations. This textbook provides an overview and essential information for the law enforcement leader to identify the areas in which additional information, study, planning, and education are required. The second edition emphasizes the need for leaders to consider novel methods to defeat countermeasures and also focuses on the importance of traditional law enforcement planning and response — from simple criminal actions to large-scale and intense incidents.