Turning theory into practice has been the cornerstone of Bill Spelman's career. He earned a Ph.D. in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, then spent seven years with a national association of big-city police chiefs, developing nationally recognized community policing programs. After moving to Texas in 1988, Spelman began working closely with local government on other urban issues. After serving two years on the Austin Water and Wastewater Commission, he served from 1997 to 2000 as a member of the Austin City Council. While on the City Council, Spelman championed downtown development, neighborhood-based service delivery, performance measurement, and civilian oversight of police operations. Spelman teaches courses in applied mathematics and statistics, urban policy and management, and criminal justice, and continues his research on police operations, prison policy, and community crime prevention. His books include: Criminal Incapacitation; Problem-Solving: Problem-oriented Policing in Newport News; and Repeat Offender Programs for Law Enforcement. Spelman also directs the Texas Institute for Public Problem Solving, which trains police officers and community residents in the practice of community policing.