Author Q&A With Jeff Wenninger

Jeff Wenninger is a nationally recognized expert in law enforcement, a retired Lieutenant with over 33 years of experience, primarily with the LAPD, and the author of On Thin Ice: An LAPD Veteran’s Journey to Reimagine Policing. As the Founder & CEO of Law Enforcement Consultants, LLC, Jeff draws on his extensive experience in the investigation and adjudication of police use-of-force incidents, crowd management and control, school and campus safety, and the development of best practices in police management.

His work focuses on aligning police methods with societal expectations and improving public trust. Jeff’s commitment to community service extends beyond his professional life. He’s been involved in numerous community initiatives, including animal welfare and charitable projects, school safety programs, and serving on various boards, as well as volunteering as a school crossing guard. Jeff is a regular contributor to NPR and a guest columnist for law enforcement print media, garnering international attention. Jeff currently lives in Ohio with his son. Meet Jeff: 

You are an author, but is it your day job? If not, what fills your days? Being an author isn’t my full-time job. My most important role is being a father to my 14-year-old son. I also maintain my health through regular walking, swimming, and training, as mental resilience begins with physical well-being. I volunteer as a school crossing guard, which keeps me connected to my community in a hands-on way. My days are a mix of mentoring, consulting, conducting interviews, recording podcasts, writing articles and posts, meeting with my team, and engaging in conversations about policing and leadership.

Did you always want to be an author? No, I didn’t set out to become an author. Writing this book was more of a responsibility than a dream. After decades in law enforcement, having witnessed the same mistakes repeated, I knew I had to share what I’d learned. It wasn’t about being a “writer,” it was about contributing to the conversations that law enforcement too often avoids.

How do you hope your book uplifts those who read it? The book was intentional and purposeful. My goal is that it leaves readers enlightened, empowered, and ultimately hopeful for the future. I emphasize the importance of empathy, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, moral reasoning, and personal accountability. Whether you’re in law enforcement, a policymaker, or just a concerned citizen, I want you to feel that change is possible.

What are you most excited about with this book? I’m excited about the ripple effect it might have. I hope that it will influence and facilitate difficult but respectful conversations that communities need to have. The book is already sparking dialogue on social media, and if it can lead to improvements in policing and public trust, then it’s doing what I intended it to do.

How did writing a book help your career take off? It’s not just the book—it’s my writings in general. They’ve opened doors to partnerships with corporations, media, and community groups. These collaborations bridge the gap between law enforcement and the civilian world, creating better tools, training, and relationships that ultimately serve public safety.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to succeed in your professional industry? Success requires empathy, critical thinking, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence. Engage with people who think differently from you—it broadens your perspective. It’s not about being right, it’s about getting it right. My father always told me: Listen carefully, question thoughtfully, speak deliberately. That advice has never failed me.

How do you handle setbacks and criticism?
For me, setbacks are about perspective. They are opportunities to learn, grow, and improve. Criticism, when it’s constructive, can be invaluable. When it’s destructive, I refuse to let it knock me off course.

At the very beginning of On Thin Ice, I share a quote that’s guided me throughout my career: “What is right is not always popular, and what is popular is not always right.” — Albert Einstein.

Leaders who challenge the status quo will always face resistance. That’s not a reason to back down—it’s part of the responsibility of leadership.

How do you hold yourself accountable and achieve the goals you set? I set both short-term and long-term goals with clear measures of effectiveness. I track my progress, but I also give myself space. If I’m not in the right mindset, I’ll take a walk, reset, and come back when I’m ready. That balance keeps me moving forward.

How do you structure your day and make time for writing? I don’t force it. I write when I feel it flowing. On some days, I can knock out a whole chapter in one sitting. On other days, I might spend hours writing only a paragraph. I often record ideas while walking with a digital recorder, then return to them when I’m ready to put them down on paper.

What do you find most fulfilling in the career you’ve chosen? The impact I can have on people’s lives. That could mean mentoring a young officer, helping a colleague with medical bills, or simply giving back through volunteer work in my community. Those moments matter more than any award or title I’ve been given.

What book uplifts you? I’m drawn to books that broaden my perspective and challenge me to grapple with significant issues. I value stories that help me understand lives and cultures different from my own, because through better understanding comes better judgment and decision-making. 

Anything else you’d like to share with your readers? We can do better. As citizens, communities, and law enforcement professionals, we all share the responsibility. The ice beneath us is fragile, but it’s not yet broken. If we choose courage, accountability, and honest dialogue, we can reimagine policing together.

Connect with Jeff and grab your copy of On Thin Ice via his website.