The Other Side of the Line
The book on policing in New Jersey
Longtime PBA member Jim Ford releases must-read autobiography that relates to all officers
Many PBA members might know the stories of Serpico , Donnie Brasco and other famous police officers who have authored autobiographies . Some of these stories have even been adapted to the silver screen .
They probably don ’ t know the story of longtime PBA member Jim Ford , though . Or maybe they haven ’ t read it yet – but they probably have lived his stories .
In his new book , The Other Side of the Line , Ford , a 26-year member of Chatham Township Local 170 , tells tales of community policing and the joy of responding to the calls that don ’ t make headlines or national news . He says he wanted to write a book that relates to the everyday law enforcement officer , even knowing that no two days on the job are the same .
“ I always read books about the city cops ,” Ford noted . “ I wanted to write something about community policing . It ’ s the frequency of it . You ’ re not dodging knives and bullets every single day , but things still happen .”
Ford represents three generations of law enforcement . His father , James Ford Sr ., and grandfather , Dennis Ford , both served more than 22 years as PBA members with Summit Local 55 and Union County Corrections Local 199 , respectively .
The Other Side of the Line is also a testament to his two sons , who both have followed in Ford ’ s footsteps on the thin blue line by becoming PBA members . Brian Ford is a detective and member of Florham Park Local 78 , and Tim Ford is with Union Township Local 69 .
Now entering his 19th year as a criminal justice professor at the College of Saint Elizabeth , Ford has put together a selection of stories from his career in law enforcement before he became an educator .
“ I realized that there was more to the job than the actual job ,” Ford explained . “ Now I ’ m on the other side of it . I feel blessed to have had two wonderful careers .”
The Other Side of the Line is a book that will have special appeal to members who have a passion for community policing . The stories in the book capture what it ’ s like to prepare for the unexpected but spend many days responding to the small calls that make make a world of difference to the people whom law enforcement officers serve . Ford relates this special service through incidents like ones about taking an elderly man to the supermarket , breaking up a domestic argument over laundering socks or running into a burning house and rescuing residents .
Some stories show Ford in situations that not even the police academy could prepare an officer for – like the time he encountered a wild horse running down a busy road .
Ford ’ s recollections are exciting , amusing and sometimes sad . But most of all , The Other Side of the Line is a relatable tale for community officers who , even though they have not been involved in a shooting or even a critical incident , are true heroes . d
The Other Side of the Line
A new book by Dr . Jim Ford 26-year member of Chatham Township Local 170 Criminal Justice Professor at College of Saint Elizabeth Special for PBA members $ 19.99 www . drjimmyf . com Copies also available through Amazon or at Barnes & Noble
74 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ AUGUST 2018