On Thin Ice: An LAPD Veteran's Journey to Reimagine Policing

"POLICING IS ON THIN ICE. It's up to us to reimagine what happens next." -Jeff Wenninger

On Thin Ice delivers an unflinching look inside the American law enforcement from a voice who's lived it. With over 30 years in the LAPD and direct oversight of more than 700 use-of-force cases, nationally recognized expert Jeff Wenninger exposes the toxic culture, outdated training, and leadership failures that continue to shape modern policing.

Drawing on firsthand experience, expert interviews, academic research, and historical context, Wenninger traces the troubled evolution of policing-from its roots in American slave patrols and Sir Robert Peel's founding principles to today's militarized, crisis-prone reality. He takes readers inside pivotal moments: the Rodney King Riots, the Rampart scandal, the Uvalde school shooting, the Butler, Pennsylvania assassination attempt, the New Orleans New Year's Day terror attack, and the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Each case reveals deep gaps in coordination, preparedness, and accountability.

INSIDE, JEFF EXPLORES:

• How poor leadership and entrenched mindsets have eroded public trust
• Why policing's complex legacy derives racial disparities and aggressive tactics
• The urgent need for cultural transformation grounded in judgement, integrity, and meaningful collaboration
• What U.S. law enforcement can learn from international models that prioritize restraint, transparency, and trust.

Wenninger doesn't offer easy answers or partisan soundbites. Instead, he invites readers into the hard conversations that are too often avoided-conversations grounded in empathy, mutual respect, and the shared goal of safer communities. On Thin Ice is a powerful call to Reimagine Policing (TM)-not through slogans or surface-level reforms, but through honest dialogue shaped by the people it affects most.

Author: Jeff Wenninger
Publisher: Populous Publishing, LLC
Published: 08/31/2025
Pages: 434
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.64lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.94d
ISBN: 9798999451514

About the Author
Wenninger, Jeff: - Jeff Wenninger is a retired LAPD lieutenant, acclaimed law enforcement expert, and founder of Law Enforcement Consultants, LLC. Wenninger brings over thirty years of frontline law enforcement experience to this discussion, having risen through the ranks of the Los Angeles Police Department to become a respected lieutenant. Renowned for his leadership in critical situations and his unrelenting commitment to accountability, Jeff's career is defined by a dedication to bridging the divide between law enforcement and the communities it serves. As the founder and CEO of Law Enforcement Consultants, LLC., Jeff is a sought-after expert witness, consultant, and speaker, working alongside law enforcement agencies, legal professionals, and policymakers to reimagine policing for a modern world. His work focuses on fostering trust, raising professional standards, and advancing public safety through actionable, community-centered solutions. In On Thin Ice: An LAPD Veteran's Journey to Reimagine Policing, Wenninger offers a powerful and unfiltered account of his decades-long career and the critical lessons learned along the way. Blending hard-earned insights with a bold vision, he challenges readers to rethink what policing can be-and should be-in the twenty-first century.

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