CityGov is proud to partner with Datawheel, the creators of Data USA, to provide our community with powerful access to public U.S. government data. Explore Data USA

Skip to main content
GR

Gary Roberts

Experienced fiction / nonfiction writer specializing in rewriting. Retired Chief of Police

I’m a published author of 25+ books (fiction and nonfiction), a recipient of the Narrative Voyager Award, and have a background in leadership, education, and long-form storytelling. That means I don’t just fix grammar—I improve structure, clarity, tone, and flow so the finished piece reads naturally and holds attention.

Articles

Cover image for Not Just Being Friendly: The Discipline Behind Effective Community Policing
Public Safety
Not Just Being Friendly: The Discipline Behind Effective Community Policing
<p class="mb-4">I'm old enough that I remember when community policing became popular again. In the 1980s, I even had the dubious honor of spending th...
February 17, 2026Read article
Cover image for Command with Character: Redefining Police Leadership for a New Era
Leadership Perspectives
Command with Character: Redefining Police Leadership for a New Era
<p class="mb-4">During my years in law enforcement, I have witnessed both exemplary leadership and deeply ineffective command. Some of the poorest lea...
February 15, 2026Read article
Cover image for Scams & Cyber Safety: Outsmarting Fear in a Digital Age
CybersecurityPublic Safety
Scams & Cyber Safety: Outsmarting Fear in a Digital Age
<p class="mb-4">Every scam starts with a story- and usually, it’s one that feels urgent. A call about a grandchild in trouble. A text claiming your ac...
February 14, 2026Read article
Cover image for Not ‘Just’ Support Staff: How Civilian Training Protects Cases, Communities, and Credibility
Professional Development and Training
Not ‘Just’ Support Staff: How Civilian Training Protects Cases, Communities, and Credibility
<p class="mb-4">Civilian staff are the quiet force that decides whether a police agency is sharp, lawful, and trusted- or slow, sloppy, and vulnerable...
February 13, 2026Read article
Cover image for Less Force, More Foresight: Why Smart Training Beats Tough Talk in Modern Policing
Professional Development and TrainingLeadership Perspectives
Less Force, More Foresight: Why Smart Training Beats Tough Talk in Modern Policing
<p class="mb-4">A police officer’s most powerful tool is not the weapon on their belt but the <strong>preparation</strong> that happens long before a ...
February 11, 2026Read article
Cover image for Command and Collapse: How Leadership Culture Fuels Police Burnout
Work Life Balance
Command and Collapse: How Leadership Culture Fuels Police Burnout
<p class="mb-4">For decades, police culture has glorified endurance- the officer who never quits, never rests, never says no. But behind that myth lie...
February 11, 2026Read article
Cover image for Psychological Safety in Uniform: The Leadership Shift That Transforms Fear into Readiness
Leadership PerspectivesPublic Safety
Psychological Safety in Uniform: The Leadership Shift That Transforms Fear into Readiness
<p class="mb-4">Fear shapes every workplace, not just police departments- it dictates what people say out loud, what they hide, and how they behave wh...
February 10, 2026Read article
Cover image for Beyond 911 Calls: Using Data, Not Guesswork, to Keep Cities Safe
Public Safety
Beyond 911 Calls: Using Data, Not Guesswork, to Keep Cities Safe
<p class="mb-4">I began my law enforcement career in 1980, and over the decades, I watched the profession change in countless ways- from writing repor...
February 9, 2026Read article
Page 1 of 5