This one was eye opening to say the least. While part of this one is a memoir of her time as a police officer and later a police Chief. It is also a call for reform. Reform of the Criminal Justice system. And this is coming from a veteran officer. Because the good officers know that the system needs to be fixed. But just like with everyone else she doesn't have all the answers and she's not afraid to admit it.

Chief Ziman is beloved in my hometown of Aurora, Illinois. She was an incredible leader for many years and I enjoyed reading her story. I grew up during a time when the city was overrun by gangs and violence. Chief Ziman, along with the rest of the Aurora Police Department have worked diligently to improve our great city. She is an inspiration to other women in law enforcement.

Kristen Ziman has much to add to the current discussion on mass shootings. This book should be required reading for everyone these days.

A honest and unapologetic account of life in the police force and rising through the ranks. Encountering obstacles in people, superiors and her own mind set at different times.
Illuminating in what it takes to lead but most importantly be part of a team that has different strengths to be the whole package.

This was quite an interesting book. I have to admit that I wish there were some more anecdotes about the author's time in the police force but it is what it is.

Chief Ziman has lead an interesting life, from her early, dysfunctional home life, to her lifetime career in the police force. The majority of police officers, even today, are male, so for her to forge her path when she did, is admirable.

I found myself agreeing with so many things that she spoke about and if she had been my boss, I would absolutely have given her my loyalty. She made me think about things more deeply, and even though I am not a police officer myself, it gave me some ideas about how I can improve as a person and as an employee.

4 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amplify Publishing Group.

I found this book very inspiring, useful and helpful to those readers who are looking to understand about law enforcement in the USA, the necessity of law enforcement, keeping peace and order, realities of racism, war on black people, policing at its best, use of guns, power and leadership.

Kristen Zaman, have been proud and loved the feeling of being a police since she was twenty-one. She used her power as a cop to protect people from bullies, the power to take evil doers into custody and stop them from harming their victims anymore. Kristen wanted to be a police office her entire life and loved every moment of it. Her dad was a cop. Kristen gives a detail account about all the exams, tests and analysis she made it through to pass as a powerful police officer. She grew up as a white woman who chose to enter a male-dominated profession. Her greatest challenge was responding to Illinois's worst mass shooting.

Kristen went to a Christian private school. In her personal life journey she highlights her growing up in a dysfunctional home where her mom and dad's marriage that crumbled enormously because of drinking and infidelity at the police department. Her dad battled with the demons of substance abuse. Kristen was a tough chick with creative and imaginative personal traits. She became an independent, resilient, confident woman by following her father's footsteps to become a police officer. Her colorful childhood and experiences molded her into making her the first female police chief in the second-largest police department in Illinois. In her career life she came across George Floyd killing by Derek Chauvin who murdered a man in the broad daylight giving zero concern for his welfare.

Kristen points about police brutality and trust that people don't have in the police system today. She argues that majority of the cops do their job with professionalism and compassion. Having to hold a position of leadership or authority Kristen has used in this book many definitions and real life examples to bring the meaning of leadership and power rightly. I would rate this book 5 star!

I just reviewed the book, Reimagining Blue: Thoughts on Life, Leadership, and a New Way Forward in Policing by Kristen Zaman, Thanks to Amplify Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy for my honest review.

This is a very interesting memoir from a former Chief of Police in Ohio. It's well thought out, personal and thought provoking. The passion she had for her job and helping others, positively oozes from the pages. A very inspirational read for anyone considering a job in law enforcement. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Kristen Zinman gives us an insightful view on what it’s actually like to be a woman in law enforcement. It’s a tough field to get into and succeed in, and so difficult for those to understand unless you have been in that kind of work. yet Kristen Zinman makes it understandable for the reader. I applaud her for the work she’s done.

Thank you to Kristen Zinman, Netgalley, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

A very captivating memoir of the life of a police officer who became the first female Chief of her department. The book shares both personal and professional stories of her journey. It offered a different perspective about what law enforcement goes through, that we don’t really hear about in the media. The author recognizes that the system is flawed, but maintained positivity through her ‘Be Better’ mantra. Because of this, I found her to be inspiring and a great role model, especially for those who wants to be in a leadership role within law enforcement. I found the entire book to be very informative, fascinating and encouraging. I will be recommending this book to anyone considering a career in law enforcement or anyone who wants to read about a different perspective that doesn’t get shared often. Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC for my honest feedback.

For anyone who has ever muttered the words "Defund the Police" this book will change their way of thinking. In fact, anyone who believes that will wish they had many Kristen Zimans on their force.