top of page

ADAM PLANTINGA

Police Sergeant & Author

I've been in law enforcement for twenty years, seven with the Milwaukee PD and thirteen with the San Francisco PD.  I am the author of two nonfiction books about urban law enforcement.  I play sand volleyball in my spare time and am slightly better than you might think.

W Portal.JPEG
Home: Welcome

400 THINGS COPS KNOW

October 2014

After striking out with 90 literary agents, I found Linden Publishing in Fresno CA, who put out my first book.  It's a collection of facts, anecdotes, and reflections from police work.  I've had excellent teachers on the job and I paid attention when they said and did smart things.  Figured out a few things myself too, mostly the hard way.

 400 Things Cops Know, was nominated for an Agatha Award and won the 2015 Silver Falchion award for best nonfiction crime reference. 

400 Things Cops Know Cover Lee Child.jpg
Home: Latest Book
Lehane%20cover_edited.jpg

POLICE CRAFT

December 2018

A sort-of sequel to 400 Things Cops Know, but with a short essay format and an emphasis on specialty units such as Homicide, CSI, and SWAT.

Home: Latest Book

NEWS & PRESS COVERAGE

Read More
WSJ cover.jpg
Adam SF Chronicle pic.jpg
Dr Phil and Adam.jpg
Adam skyping.jpg

REASONABLENESS STANDARD FOR POLICE IS UNDER PRESSURE AFTER HIGH-PROFILE SHOOTINGS.
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO
SKYPE INTERVIEW

March 12, 2019

PHIL IN THE BLANKS.
DR. PHIL PODCAST.

December 2019

AN ARRESTING DEBUT
S.F. OFFICER'S BOOK A COLLECTION OF 13 YEARS OF OBSERVATIONS ABOUT REAL-LIFE POLICE WORK

San Francisco Chronicle 
Friday, December 26, 2014

'400 THINGS COPS KNOW' 

THE NEW BIBLE FOR CRIME WRITERS

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Friday, November 21, 2014

Home: News
bottom of page