Local Police Chief Pens Book to Improve Department Leadership Nationwide

Thomas Wetzel, former Richmond Heights chief, hopes his book "A Cop and a Coffee Cup" becomes required reading for police supervisors.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Thomas Wetzel, the former police chief of Richmond Heights and current University Circle chief, has written his first book, "A Cop and a Coffee Cup." The book features a conversation between two police officers over coffee, providing what Wetzel believes is valuable information for those leading police departments. Wetzel hopes the book will become required reading for police leaders across the country, as he believes strong leadership is crucial for developing effective and happy officers, which in turn leads to better service for the public.

Why it matters

Wetzel's book aims to address the lack of effective leadership in many police departments, which he believes is a major contributor to officer stress and unhappiness. By providing a simple, conversational guide on best practices for police management and leadership, Wetzel hopes to positively impact the culture of policing across the nation.

The details

In his book, Wetzel, who has 38 years of experience as a police officer and department leader, as well as experience as a police trainer, shares the wisdom and guidance he has gained over the years. The book is structured as a conversation between an older, experienced officer and a newer officer who wants to become a supervisor, with the veteran passing on advice about what to do and what not to do when leading a police department.

  • Wetzel retired as Richmond Heights police chief in February 2023.
  • Wetzel took on the role of University Circle police chief after retiring from Richmond Heights.

The players

Thomas Wetzel

The former police chief of Richmond Heights and current University Circle police chief, who has 38 years of experience as a police officer and department leader, as well as experience as a police trainer. He has written his first book, "A Cop and a Coffee Cup", which he hopes will become required reading for police supervisors across the country.

Victor McDowell, Jr.

The Cleveland Chapter President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, who provided a positive review of Wetzel's book, stating that it makes clear that having authority alone is not enough to lead and that credibility and building trust are essential for effective policing.

William Healey

A retired Ohio State Highway Patrol lieutenant, who said Wetzel's book could be included by law enforcement agencies as mandatory reading for promotional examinations and assessment centers to assist in the promotional selection process, and that it provides meaningful leadership advice from a well-respected and visionary leader.

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What they’re saying

“In today's policing environment, trust is essential to being effective. This manuscript makes it clear that having authority alone is not enough to lead. Credibility matters. Police leaders must work intentionally to build trust in order to manage performance fairly, support officer well-being, and maintain the legitimacy of their organization.”

— Victor McDowell, Jr., Cleveland Chapter President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (cleveland.com)

“This book can easily be included by law enforcement agencies and/or other public safety organizations as mandatory reading for promotional examinations and/or assessment centers to assist in the promotional selection process. Tom has developed a truly enjoyable book that provides meaningful leadership advice from a well-respected and visionary leader.”

— William Healey, Retired Ohio State Highway Patrol Lieutenant (cleveland.com)

What’s next

Wetzel hopes that "A Cop and a Coffee Cup" will become required reading for police supervisors across the country, as he believes it can positively impact the culture of policing nationwide.

The takeaway

Wetzel's book aims to address the critical need for effective leadership in police departments, which he believes is essential for developing happy and motivated officers who can provide excellent service to the public. By sharing his decades of experience and wisdom in a simple, conversational format, Wetzel hopes to empower police supervisors to create positive change in their departments.