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CLEVELAND, Ohio — Several area police departments have instituted gatherings in which residents are invited to converse about their concerns with officers, gatherings that are often held under the name “Coffee with a Cop.”
University Circle Police Chief Thomas Wetzel has envisioned another scenario involving coffee and conversation in publishing his first book. In his book, it is an older police offficer, over coffee, discussing with a new officer what to do and what not to do while policing.
The results that come from this conversation, Wetzel believes, not only make for more effective and happier officers, but also a public more pleased with the service their police department is giving.
In his book, “A Cop and a Coffee Cup,” Wetzel, the former Richmond Heights chief of police and a longtime officer with the Beachwood Police Department, tells of his strong belief that police department management and leadership play the most important role in developing effective officers, and that, in many cases, such guidance is not now being given.
“Through training programs, I have read many books about police management and leadership and found that we needed something simple that could resonate with today’s police managers and leaders,” said Wetzel of why he wrote his book on the chosen topic. “Our men and women in blue deserve excellent leadership for all that they do for others, and I don’t believe that most have received it.
“That is so unacceptable to me. Poor leadership causes tremendous stress for our officers.
“A lot of talk over the last few years has been on ‘officer wellness.’ Unfortunately, so much officer un-wellness has been caused by their very own police management. A chief or sergeant can cause so much angst and tension within a station house.
“This book addresses the impact that leadership can have in a positive way on the health and welfare of our police officers.”
In addition to his 38 years of experience as an officer and leading departments, Wetzel serves as a police trainer with Northcoast Polytechnic Institute.
“I have had the privilege over the years to instruct hundreds and hundreds of cops,” he said. “During that time, I have listened to many of their concerns and it is clear that our personnel need better leadership at all levels.
“This book can provide that critical guidance so desperately needed today. It is chock-full of common-sense wisdom and presented in a casual, conversational tone like two cops having a cup of joe together.”
Wetzel, upon retiring as Richmond Heights chief in February 2023, did so with the intention of writing a book about police leadership. He quickly, however, took on the job of University Circle chief, and put the book on the back burner.
“My mom and Aunt Angie always believed that I should write a book one day as they knew I enjoyed writing and just believed in me that way,” he said. “Both, unfortunately, are no longer here, but I hope they are smiling from heaven.”
Wetzel has been a contributor to Sun News/cleveland.com, as well as national police publications that include Law and Order, Police Magazine, and Police1.com. He has also written for decades on police work and leadership for the Canadian police periodical Blue Line Magazine.
“I decided to write a short book that was based on the idea of two cops sitting down for a cup of hot coffee and, in that time, one will pass on to the other some simple wisdom and guidance on how to lead today’s men and women in blue,” he said. “Kind of like an old veteran talking to a newer officer who wants to be a boss.
“At the end of that cup of coffee, that (newer) officer will have learned a lot about what to do and what not to do.
“This background is based on over three decades of police experience, observations, training and teaching, and in that time, I have seen what works and what doesn’t work in motivating and inspiring police officers.
“This book teaches supervisors and prospective supervisors about the importance of looking out for their officers both on and off duty. When cops are treated with dignity and respect by their leadership, they are more likely to treat those they serve with excellence.
“It is pretty simple. Happy cops equals happy customers.”
Wetzel said that police officers always seem to be on the run. He intentionally made his book a quick read, at 118 pages, to accommodate their lifestyles.
“They work crazy rotating shifts and rush from work to side jobs, or home, where they try to balance busy home lives or schedules. They don’t have a lot of free time, so getting many of them to sit down for a long book can be challenging.
“This book can give them critical information in a short amount of time. I truly believe this book, if followed, could positively change the culture of policing across our nation.
“The beauty of this book is that it can be enjoyed by anyone interested in how our police officers should be treated, as well as how our American policing services should be delivered to (Americans), particularly since they are footing the bill for it.”
“A Cop and a Coffee Cup” has received accolades from others experienced in police work.
“In today’s policing environment, trust is essential to being effective,” Wetzel quotes Victor McDowell, Jr., who is Cleveland Chapter President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. “This manuscript makes it clear that having authority alone is not enough to lead.
“Credibility matters. Police leaders must work intentionally to build trust in order to manage performance fairly, support officer well-being, and maintain the legitimacy of their organization.”
Another commenter, retired Ohio State Highway Patrol lieutenant William Healey, said, “This book can easily be included by law enforcement agencies and/or other public safety organizations as mandatory reading for promotional examinations and/or assessment centers to assist in the promotional selection process.
“Tom has developed a truly enjoyable book that provides meaningful leadership advice from a well-respected and visionary leader.”
Wetzel, too, is hoping that “A Cop and a Coffee Cup” will become a necessary read for those leading police departments, stating, “I believe this book needs to be in the hands of every police supervisor in the country.”
“A Cop and a Coffee Cup,” published by Draft2Digital, is available through Amazon and other outlets.
