The main argument of Rise of the Warrior Cop is that the introduction of the War on Drugs in the 1960s has caused the police and legal institutions of The United States to progressively grow in power and influence, while continuing to have little to no accountability.

Balko introduces his central thesis by first tracing the historical origins of contemporary police institutions beginning with law enforcement in the Roman Republic, Medieval England and Colonial America.

Former Texas Representative and Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul praised the book writing, "Rise of the Warrior Cop is a comprehensive look at the reasons for, and the results of, the increasing militarization of law enforcement.

Civil libertarians on the left and limited government conservatives on the right should pay especially close attention to Radley Balko's examination of the link between 'the war on drugs' and law enforcement's increased use of police state tactics.

There is no vital trend in American society more overlooked than the militarization of our domestic police forces, and there is no journalist in America who is more knowledgeable and passionate about this topic than Radley Balko.