On the Job author slated to appear on Fox Chicago News

On the Job author Daniel P. Smith was interviewed by Fox Chicago News recently for a story on the nearing trial of former Chicago Police Officer Anthony Abbate. The story is (tentatively) slated to run on the 9pm newscast on Friday, May 29, just days before the start of Abbate's criminal trial.

Check it out:

Fox Chicago News

Friday, May 29 @ 9pm

Author Daniel P. Smith discusses the trial of ex-Chicago cop Anthony Abbate and the CPD's subsequent battle with public perception.

Update: Fox Chicago has posted the 3-minute special report online.

Ask the Author: How do you think the Chicago Police Department perceives On the Job?

Answer: Many Chicago officers I've met perceive the book in a positive light. I'm quick to say, however, that appeasing the police or city brass was not my goal; On the Job was not intended to be a civic booster project. The book has over 70,000 words, so I cannot expect that every word will please everyone. Some CPD may not like it, some average readers, too.


In my mind, I accomplished my objective—to encourage empathy for Chicago’s officers and show them as human beings rather than a uniform—and I need to be at peace with my work and know I wrote the best book I could. I would hope officers would look upon such honesty and sincerity in a positive way, particularly as most media stories about them generally reinforce some nasty stereotypes. Are all Chicago officers these wonderful human beings we should blindly praise? Absolutely not and it's naive to think so. Yet, they are not the unthinking, prejudiced, trigger-happy, etc, people we so often view them as. They have fears, emotions, ambitions. They are our neighbors, our friends, our family, our fellow Chicagoans. On the Job, I believe, sheds the uniform and reveals the soul—as best as my twentysomething mind could portray it. I would hope any reader, cop or civilian, would appreciate my sincere effort.

Ask the Author is a running series of live audience or reader questions directed at On the Job author Daniel P. Smith. The series, which appears each Monday, is aimed at providing greater insight into Smith’s work in researching and writing On the Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department as well as the book’s content. A speaker noted for his energy and engaging style, Smith is available for presentations at a wide range of events, including private book clubs, Citizen Police Academy meetings, libraries, senior centers, and schools. Please contact him directly at smithwriting@gmail.com to schedule an event.

Are you a reader with a question for On the Job author Daniel P. Smith? Send it to smithwriting@gmail.com.

10 Questions for On the Job author

Accomplished author and freelance writer Wendy Burt-Thomas recently interviewed On the Job author Daniel P. Smith for her "10 Questions" blog feature. The site, geared at providing advice and insight for all writers, asks Smith to describe his work space, his career trajectory, and the best and worst parts about being a writer.

To read Wendy's full interview with Danny, click here.

Ask the Author: Is there a way for cops to balance their work lives

Answer: Of course. I think reflection is a key component. I think a sound family life can help. I think a realistic perception of their individual lives is important. My two great uncles who were Chicago cops did a marvelous job of balancing work and life. They were tremendous fathers, decorated officers, and sincere men. I believe both of them did that by keeping those worlds separate as best they could, yet recognizing just how difficult a challenge that task would be. Ultimately, they challenged themselves to put their best effort forward each day and acknowledging that they would make their mistakes as both parents and officers. They put each role in its proper context and, more than anything, noted the carry over from one world to the other. For example, these are two men who realized that compassion was just as important as a father as it was an officer.

My biggest concern, however, is how so few officers take advantage of counseling or learn positive coping mechanisms to deal with the job's inherent stress. The cop culture has a general resistance to such help and that scares me because there are so many who need to discover positive outlets for the troubles of each day. The “macho” culture prevalent in so many departments restricts too many officers from accepting help.

Ask the Author is a running series of live audience or reader questions directed at On the Job author Daniel P. Smith. The series, which appears each Monday, is aimed at providing greater insight into Smith’s work in researching and writing On the Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department as well as the book’s content. A speaker noted for his energy and engaging style, Smith is available for presentations at a wide range of events, including private book clubs, Citizen Police Academy meetings, libraries, senior centers, and schools. Please contact him directly at smithwriting@gmail.com to schedule an event.

Are you a reader with a question for On the Job author Daniel P. Smith? Send it to smithwriting@gmail.com.

Woodridge Citizens Police Academy Class welcomes On the Job author

On April 29, the Woodridge Citizens Police Academy (CPA) class earned their degrees of completion, but not before hearing On the Job author Daniel P. Smith present on police department culture and life. Filled with stories and insightful audience questions, the characteristic of nearly all CPAs, Smith's presentation added an extra layer of insight to the class members' growing understanding of the law enforcement world.

Many thanks to Woodridge Police Officer Kevin Lindblom for inviting Mr. Smith and his colleague, Frank Jackowiak, for the photos.

Ask the Author: How did your family react to you not wanting to be a cop?

Answer: Being a police officer has been the vocation of many in my family, but that’s simply not where my heart rests. I feel called to do other things in life. My mother may have breathed a sigh of relief, happy that both of her sons weren’t in such a dangerous profession. I fear my brother, however, may have been quietly disappointed. I think he wanted me at his side wearing the Chicago Police star.

Ask the Author is a running series of live audience or reader questions directed at On the Job author Daniel P. Smith. The series, which appears each Monday, is aimed at providing greater insight into Smith’s work in researching and writing On the Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department as well as the book’s content. A speaker noted for his energy and engaging style, Smith is available for presentations at a wide range of events, including private book clubs, Citizen Police Academy meetings, libraries, senior centers, and schools. Please contact him directly at smithwriting@gmail.com to schedule an event.

Are you a reader with a question for On the Job author Daniel P. Smith? Send it to smithwriting@gmail.com.