NCJ Number
10319
Date Published
1973
Length
479 pages
Annotation
DAY-TO-DAY DISTRICT OPERATIONS WITHIN THE PHILADELPHIA POLICE DEPARTMENT BASED ON TWO YEARS OBSERVANCE OF REGULAR AND SPECIAL PATROL UNITS IN ACTION.
Abstract
'THE POLICEMAN IS A SOLITARY WORKER. THE NATURE OF HIS TRADE REQUIRES THAT HE SPEND A GOOD PART OF HIS WORK DAY ALONE - THE NATURE OF HIS OBLIGATION ISOLATES HIM FROM MOST OTHER PEOPLE.' THE FOCUS OF THE BOOK IS ON THE PATROLMAN'S WORKING LIFE, HIS CONCEPTION OF THE PLACE HE POLICES, HIS SENSE OF TERRITORY, THE EXTENT OF HIS KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE PEOPLE HE POLICES, HIS TECHNIQUES FOR SURVEILLANCE OF HIS AREA, HIS USE OF THE TOOLS OF HIS TRADE TO CONTROL PEOPLE, HIS MANIPULATION OF THE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM TO OBTAIN VITAL INFORMATION WHILE KEEPING SECRET FROM COLLEAGUES AND SUPERIORS WHAT HE IS ACTUALLY DOING. THE AUTHOR CAREFULLY EXPLAINS THE DELICATE RELATIONSHIPS WHICH EXIST BETWEEN THE PATROLMAN, HIS CO-WORKERS, AND HIS SERGEANT, AND ANALYZES THE INCIDENTS OF ILLEGALITY AND BRUTALITY WHICH OCCUR IN ROUTINE POLICE ACTIVITY. AN OBJECTIVE VIEW OF THE ROLE OF THE POLICEMAN IN THE MODERN CITY IS PRESENTED THROUGHOUT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)