Armed and Dangerous: Memoirs of a Chicago Policewoman (Illinois) [Paperback]

Gina Gallo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 6, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0312878907 | ISBN-13: 978-0312878900

The critically acclaimed memoirs of one female police officer’s sixteen-year odyssey, beginning with day one at the Police Academy and spanning assignments on Chicago’s West Side, one of the most dangerous areas in the city.

The notorious cops’ code of silence is broken as the author recounts incidents in the West Side projects: shoot-outs, ambushes, and what it feels like to kill a man—just four days out of the Academy.

The stories told are sometimes tragic, sometimes funny, often poignant, and always provide the reader with an on the scene feel for life behind the badge. Domestic violence, murdered spouses, abused children, and philandering CPD brass are just some of the topics addressed, topics that officer Gallo dealt with everyday.

From her work with gangs, narcotics, the gun task force, and acting as a prostitute, Gina Gallo offers a gritty account of the darker side of the city, giving readers an objective side to the cops, crooks, and victims that comprise a the police cops world.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gallo's streetwise memoir--her first book--of policing Chicago's roughest neighborhoods blends equal parts humor and regret. A Chicago cop's daughter, Gallo completed a master's and began a career in psychology, but Reagan-era cutbacks directed her onto her father's path. Intending to work as a police therapist, she was instead unceremoniously assigned to the patrol division and became both a decorated officer and something of a trailblazer as one of the first women to receive high-risk tactical assignments. Gallo astutely considers the female cop's unique circumstances: male partners deride her femininity yet capitalize on it during domestic calls; romances with civilians seem doomed. The elusive "feminine" qualities, feared by old-boy police officials, benefited her performance, while the misery of the streets apparently took a greater psychic toll than on her male counterparts. Gallo's fresh perspective counters typical TV images of cops, as she describes the experiences of "[t]hose who muddle along... trying to do the right thing." She gives devastatingly effective accounts of relations between "brother" officers and of trying to avoid being perceived as a "bimbo with a badge" or a "dog cop" (lazy or irredeemably greedy). Weaker moments occur in the melodramatic re-created crime-scene dialogues. Gallo is at her best when straightforwardly detailing the earthy minutiae of "cop life" or casting about for the emotional costs of being both witness and enforcer amidst the violence of the inner city. (Mar.)Forecast: Given the preponderance of TV shows and movies about the police and the scarcity of unadorned every-cop accounts, Gallo's book could appeal to a broad readership if prominently displayed in stores (the guns on its cover will be a draw). Author appearances at Chicago-area bookstores and police-related community events will garner regional interest.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“Gallo’s streetwise memoir of policing Chicago’s roughest neighborhood blends equal parts humor and regret. Gallo is at her best when straight forwardly detailing the earthly minutiae of ‘cop life’ or casting about the emotional costs of being both witness and enforcer amidst the violence of the inner city.”—Publishers Weekly

“A taste of life as a big-city cop—complete with comedy, drama and heartbreak.”—The Chicago Tribune

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books (April 6, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312878907
• ISBN-13: 978-0312878900
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #577,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn the truth about the C.P.D., April 14, 2001

By 

Gushguire (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Armed and Dangerous: Memoirs of a Chicago Policewoman (Hardcover)

This book is the most realistic account of policing in Chicago that I've ever read. I'm a Chicago Police Officer and can attest to the authenticity of the descriptions contained in this book. Gallo doesn't sugar-coat anything--she describes the Academy like it was, uses language true to policing, and hits it on the head with her definition of "game face". Mostly though, she nails the descriptions of the bosses--from the superintendent through the street sergeant--right on the head. It's exactly what the "real police" think, but can't say, because they would be buried in the Duece on midnights if they did. Thanks, Gina. I hope all the bosses read it and cringe when they recognize themselves! I know I can put names to many current and former P.O.'s from your vivid descriptions. Nice to see the deserving squirm a bit. Assuming they have the conscience to do even that much!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just exactly how big is a gerbil?, March 30, 2001

By 

G. Anderson (Arlington Heights, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Armed and Dangerous: Memoirs of a Chicago Policewoman (Hardcover)

Gina Gallo's memoir Armed and Dangerous raises this question in one of its more vivid anecdotes. Sometimes outrageous, frequently hilarious, and always thoughtful, this book provides an up-close, gritty, honest look at the lives of Chicago's "Po-lice." Gallo brings us inside the training academy, squad cars, and district headquarters. Then she takes us to the streets, housing projects, and crime scenes she came to know during her 16-year career with the Chicago police force. After reading this book, you will perceive police officers differently. Stereotypes are shattered as we see how the cop lifestyle affects individual officers in very different ways. If you know Chicago, Gina Gallo's book is a must. Even if you don't know Chicago, this is a fascinating, unforgettable read

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You have the right to read this book....NOW!, April 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Armed and Dangerous: Memoirs of a Chicago Policewoman (Hardcover)

I remember at one time I thought about being a policewoman. Even took the test, passed and got a letter to appear for training. Never did follow up on it. Couldn't see myself packing heat in the long run and didn't think I'd be up for horsey patrol right out of the police academy. And after reading this book I know I made the right decision. Being a policeman is no easy job and being a woman cop is even harder, forever proving yourself worthy of the profession. And after reading this book the media only gives half of what is really going on in the streets. This book is an eye opener. It shocked me, sickened me and saddened me but it was never ever boring. It really made an impact on me and made me more aware of a policeperson's life. This is one of my favorite books and I just ordered Crime Scenes so I could read more. Gina, I hope you sold the rights to this book either as a movie or a cable TV series. It deserves it.