Policing White Supremacy: The Enemy Within

by Mike German

A former FBI agent’s urgent call for law enforcement to prioritize far-right violence and end tolerance for police racism. As a long-serving FBI agent, Mike German worked undercover in white supremacist and militia groups, developing a deep understanding of their mindsets and strategies. In Policing White Supremacy, German issues a wake-up call about law enforcement’s dangerously lax approach to far-right violence.

Because the FBI refuses to prioritize violence by white supremacists, it can continue to use its domestic terrorism powers to target much less violent groups, such as Black Lives Matter and environmental activists. By contrast, far-right militants have committed over one hundred deadly acts just since the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and attempted to obstruct transfer of power to a duly elected U.S. president.

Noting that the FBI does not even compile accurate national data on white supremacist violence, German exposes tolerance of overt racism in law enforcement and police membership in white supremacist organizations. The threat these officers pose became clear when at least nineteen current and former law enforcement officials participated in the January 6 breach of the Capitol.

A book with profound relevance as we head into what is sure to be a contentious presidential election, Policing White Supremacy urges us to recognize and address a serious threat to democracy.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Audiobook, History

336 pages, Hardcover

Published January 7, 2025

Reviews

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A subject i feel strongly about. Racism is becoming more prominent in our world again, only now these groups aren't lurking in the shadows as they once did. They are becoming more bold and it's quite unnerving to see young men and women, as well as children, that have been their targets.
The author is very correct in that these groups have long been allowed to do their dirt and LE look the other way. It's time that stops. There is no reason another human being should walk this country in fear simply because of skin tone. Systemic racism and racial inequality should have long been a thing of our past.
Definitely an interesting read.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Mike German and Beth Zasloff's Policing White Supremacy: The Enemy Within isn't just a timely read; it's a chillingly essential one. It pulls back the curtain on a deeply uncomfortable truth: the insidious and persistent presence of white supremacist ideology within law enforcement itself. This isn't your typical exposé of rogue cops or isolated incidents. German and Zasloff meticulously lay out a systemic problem, tracing the historical roots of this infiltration and demonstrating its contemporary manifestations with alarming clarity.

What sets this book apart is its unflinching focus on the internal threat. While many discussions of policing and racism center on external interactions with communities of color, Policing White Supremacy shines a light on the enemy within the ranks. The authors don't just point fingers; they dissect the mechanisms that allow these extremist ideologies to flourish within police culture, from recruitment practices that inadvertently attract individuals with biased leanings to the "blue wall of silence" that protects those who express or act on these beliefs. They delve into the ways this internal radicalization undermines the very foundations of impartial policing, compromising investigations, eroding public trust, and ultimately endangering the lives of the very people officers are sworn to protect.
The book isn't merely a catalog of horrors, however. It offers concrete, actionable recommendations for reform. German and Zasloff move beyond simply identifying the problem to proposing solutions, including robust vetting procedures, mandatory training on extremism, and mechanisms for accountability that transcend internal police investigations. They argue compellingly for a shift in culture, one that actively rejects white supremacist ideology and prioritizes the protection of all communities.

While the subject matter is heavy and at times deeply disturbing, Policing White Supremacy is a remarkably accessible read. The writing is clear and concise, avoiding jargon and presenting complex information in a digestible way. The authors' expertise, combined with their evident passion for justice, makes for a compelling narrative that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end.

This book is NOT comfortable reading. It challenges our assumptions about law enforcement and forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about the systems we trust to protect us. But it is precisely this discomfort that makes it so vital. Policing White Supremacy iS a call to action. It’s a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of policing, the integrity of our justice system, and the very soul of our democracy. It's a book that deserves to be read, discussed, and acted upon.

[Jerry Edward Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rise of white supremacy groups and ideas has been a divisive worldwide political development. Equally divisive has been law enforcement’s response to these same groups and ideas. The author of this important book is a former FBI agent who investigated white supremacist and militia groups. He is now with the Brennan Center for Justice specializing in liberty and national security issues. His extensive investigative work is the basis for this book. The author poses one essential question: how much of a threat to our democracy is this failure by law enforcement to effectively address the threat from these groups? The book is organized in two basic parts: a description of the rise of groups like the Proud Boys and other groups; and a descriptive strategy for addressing and combatting the same groups. The conclusion is that law enforcement has generally failed to make these groups a high investigative priority. That very failure identifies the existence of a dire threat to our democracy. The reader might study this concluding essay along with Lesson 6 of Timothy Snyder’s small book, On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons From the Twentieth Century (Tim Duggan Books). Highly recommended for readers concerned about public policy issues.

[Jamie Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

I requested this book after attending a webinar hosted by a former officer who worked undercover to investigate white supremacists. I learned a lot about what they are doing in real life, not online. I learned about which clothes they wear and how they talk to one another. I am so aware of what I am doing now because I do not want to signal to any of them that I might be... I don't know, an ally.

This book starts with an explanation of the insurrection on January 6th. That was a traumatizing time.
I had to take a lot of breaks while reading this book. While I am white, and likely won't be a target, I have POC children I care for, and other family members. I have a lots of friends and neighbors I love too. Plus terrorism should scare everyone.

I have been terrified of "thin blue line" people for years and this book helped me understand why. This is really good but it s a heavy read. You need to really be in the right headspace for it,

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the type of non-fiction one reads and then feels informed. And yet while I do feel informed, I know I took in so much information that I now know this book needs to be read slowly, studied, discussed, and used as a tool for activism.

Sooooo much data, so much information, and thus, it’s a book that must be read, at a minimum, twice.

[Peter Z. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Funny, I never heard of any "white supremacists" burning down and looting cities with total impunity. Is this supposed to be a joke?

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book during the second Trump term, when the J6ers have been pardoned, and nearly every bit of progress it highlights has been burned to the ground is an exercise in frustration.