I Hate Campaign Hats: Police Stories of a Young State Trooper Making His Way with Faith, Love, and Silly Humor

by Randall Stevens

REVIEW ONLINE BOOK CLUB ORG Sept. 8, 2021"The best thing about this book is its authenticity." "It's a sincere and original account of his (early career ) life." " The words of the author manage to sink in beautifully." A captivating read." " The writing style of the author is brilliant.. The tone is friendly and honest." " There is nothing to dislike about this book." "The book had me in its grasp. Hence, the perfect rating." REVIEW THE EPOCH TIMES August 9, 2021 Life and Policing With Integrity by writer/author Linda Wiegenfeld "I Hate Campaign Hats" is included as one of the books chosen for highlighting American values and strength. "A positive book on the police." And, "a devotion to duty by a number of police who think like him, and you have a powerful force for good." DESCRIPTIONRandall Stevens in 1966 was a wide-eyed, naive boy still a year away from being able to claim adulthood at that magic age of twenty-one. Having come up with the idea to join one of the best state police organizations in the nation, he began the journey to become a Massachusetts State Police Trooper. If anyone assumes this to be the telling of a strict, tedious, dull, or uninteresting police employment process, they would be very wrong. The determination, ingenuity, silliness, and near lunacy mixed with glimpses of courage and boldness, not expected from a boy so young, lends itself to a show all its own, which continues as you turn the pages. These narratives will strike all your emotions. You will laugh and feel good. You’ll feel sad and maybe cry. There’s vindication, fear, and trepidation. You’ll peer deep into an officer’s marriage and personal life. Most importantly, you’ll see a different side of police, not often revealed, and meet different characters, good and bad, who all played a part molding the boy into a man.

277 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2021

Reviews

[Jen Cahill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining read

Not very serious at all for a cop's memoir. Wish he would write another one. It was pretty good, but wish he didn't skip around so much with the chronology of events.

[Vincent Matusheski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy flow writing

Just enough in each anecdote to enjoy before moving on to the next chapter. Appealing to almost any general reader. Seems as if a few more books could be written from these life experiences.

[James P. Streicher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too short!

Excellent words from a humble, regular guy who truly served his communities. I’m quite sure there are a few hundred more pages of interesting stories to be told, but I’m personally thankful for what we got!

[jamesd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I enjoyed the writing style..mixed well with serious and humor. As we know police are humans too. I recommend this book.

[Taryn Brenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

A little short but that’s ok because it didn’t contain any stories beyond the first several years of his career.

[Ernie Turcotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Men in Blue

The book showed the human side of a trooper and people he met during his career. Short stories and easy reading

[william j. burbage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Hate Campaign Hats

I truly enjoyed this book because it brought back fond memories of my career in law enforcement with the NYPD. I had the good fortune of being recommended and assigned to the NYJTF consisting of DEA Agents, NYSP, NYPD. 1971 - 1983 drugs were running wild in the streets of NYC and elsewhere! It was a great pleasure to take down big financiers and dealers resulting in significant prison time. Unfortunately, there was always someone to step up because the money is too good to pass up! But dedicated and honest men and women in law enforcement continue to combat this evil among our young people. God keep them safe & strong!

[valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad, an interesting read

It was an interesting read although the lack of school killings, serial killers and mass shootings dates the author. Oh if only things were that simple today.

[SUSAN SKOGLUND · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting! A retired state troupers account of career highlights- some funny, some serious, some sad.

[Terry A Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great job

Interesting stories from the inside of police and state troopers. Great experience to read the first hand stories from a real trooper.

[Ronda Wian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reading !

I choose this selection as a change of pace from normal choices. I was not disappointed. Good subject matter well thought out as an author.

[Chuckdee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for serving the people of Mass, and for sharing your story.