�I would consider this book a must read for anyone thinking about entering the carrer path of law enforcement
in a large municipal agency.�
--Andre Belotto, American Police Beat
Waveland Press Web Site, January, 2002
Summary
An insider view of an urban subculture! While much of the literature on police analyzes critically what they
do, few works address issues of how police officers feel about their chosen profession, their worldview, or their
visions. This refreshingly original and unique ethnographic contribution by anthropologist Joan Barker exposes
the human element--one rarely seen by non-police--of officers working for the often-controversial L.A.P.D. During
her twenty years of fieldwork, Barker gathered valuable information through formal, in-depth interviews and firsthand
experiences, distilling her findings into an illuminating, coherent account. She discovers that five phases of
occupational socialization normatively mold officers' experiences and perceptions. "Fleshing out" her
discussion is the compelling narrative of "Fred," a traditional officer whose authentic voice reveals
feelings and attitudes that manifest the essence of the human who does the job of policing. An "insider"
view of an urban subculture usually known only from its public presentation.
Table of Contents
1. The L.A.P.D.
2. Methodology
3. The World of Policing
4. Phase One: Hitting the Streets: The First Three Years
