Ellen Kirschman, PhD, is a police and public safety psychologist, volunteer clinician at the First Responder Support Network, and sought-after speaker and workshop facilitator. Dr. Kirschman is a recipient of the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Police and Public Safety Psychology from the Police and Public Safety section of Division 18 (Psychologists in Public Service) of the American Psychological Association and the Distinguished Contribution to Psychology award from the California Psychological Association. She is coauthor of a book for mental health professionals, Counseling Cops, and author of the self-help guides I Love a Cop, Third Edition, and I Love a Fire Fighter, as well as the mystery novels Burying Ben, The Right Wrong Thing, and The Fifth Reflection. She lives in Redwood City, California. Her website is www.ellenkirschman.com. She also blogs with Psychology Today.
My wife and I have both read I Love a Cop through and through, and our home life is stronger for it. This is an essential book for anyone with a loved one on the job--anyone who needs to understand the inherent strains, quirks, and challenges of police work. Dr. Kirschman writes with skill, wisdom, and grace, honoring police officers while still holding them accountable. I Love a Cop is a gift. --Sgt. Adam Plantinga, San Francisco Police Department, 16-year police veteran and author of 400 Things Cops Know As the wife of a veteran police officer, I found this book to be a great resource. I loved reading about others with similar experiences. Dr. Kirschman has helped me understand how the job affects my spouse, how I can take care of myself during times of chaos, and ways we can communicate better and strengthen our relationship. --Karin B., Vacaville, California This book contributed to incredible changes in my life and marriage by teaching me that I was not alone in times of pain. The law enforcement culture has an unspoken code that all matters stay 'in house,' but cops are people first, and sometimes we all need help. Dr. Kirschman really gets the issues we face as a family of blue. --Karen F., Chico, California Dr. Kirschman does a terrific job of addressing difficult issues that those in the cop world usually don't talk about. The book brings into perspective the difficulties and risks of the job and the impact on our families and ourselves, as well as ways to keep the family and self whole. This was a 'must read' for me as the wife of a police officer, an officer myself, and a mother. --Vicky M. Stormo, retired Chief of Police, 35-year police veteran; Interim Executive Director, Behind the Badge Foundation During my tenure as Chief of Police, I gave a copy of this book to each new officer I swore into my department. I explained that the Police Academy teaches the 'how-tos' of the job--and Dr. Kirschman teaches how to manage the impact on our lives. The ever-changing demands placed on law enforcement personnel today are all covered insightfully in this remarkable third edition. --Lucy Carlton, retired Chief of Police, Los Altos Police Department, California