NCJ Number
38506
Date Published
1976
Length
208 pages
Annotation
FIRST PERSON ACCOUNT OF A CRIMINOLOGY PROFESSOR WHO LEFT HIS UNIVERSITY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS TO WORK AS A STREET PATROLMAN IN A HIGH-CRIME PRECINCT IN A LARGE AMERICAN CITY.
Abstract
AS A RESULT OF HIS EXPERIENCES, THE AUTHOR CHANGED HIS PREVIOUSLY HELD OPINION THAT THE POLICEMAN'S JOB ATTRACTED BASICALLY INSECURE, HOSTILE, AND AUTHORITARIAN PERSONALITIES. HE RECOUNTS HIS EXPERIENCES OF FEAR AND EMOTIONAL PRESSURE COMBINED WITH THE NECESSITY TO ACT DECISIVELY WHILE FACING PEOPLE AT THEIR WORST UNDER CONDITIONS OF POVERTY AND TRAGEDY. THE BOOK IS INTENDED TO BRING GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO BE A POLICEMAN.