Danger, Duty, and Disillusion: The Worldview of Los Angeles Police Officers [Paperback]

Joan C. Barker (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1577660412 | ISBN-13: 978-1577660415 | Publication Date: January 1, 1999 0

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, indepth 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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Titles of related interest from Waveland Press: Alpert et al., Policing: Continuity and Change (ISBN 9781577664093); Barlow-Barlow, Police in a Multicultural Society: An American Story (ISBN 9781577661290); Dei, Ties That Bind: Youth and Drugs in a Black Community (ISBN 9781577661993); Kappeler et al., Forces of Deviance: Understanding the Dark Side of Policing, Second Edition (ISBN 9780881339833); Miller et al., Human Relations & Police Work, Sixth Edition (ISBN 9781577666516).

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577660412
• ISBN-13: 978-1577660415
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #245,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LAPD, August 12, 2001

By 

NC 830.1 (CA. 94116) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Danger, Duty, and Disillusion: The Worldview of Los Angeles Police Officers (Paperback)

I have been a police officer in Northern California for 15 years. I started out young and idealistic. Throughout my career I have gone through different stages and I have seen other officers go through these stages. I was given this book by a coworker and I read it on my weekend off. I totally saw myself in this book and others I work with and others who are now gone. The one chapter hitting the wall was the most interesting because that period was the most difficult for me in my career and like in the book I sought outside resources to save myself, mainly my family, promotion and finishing my college education. If I had stayed in that rut of hitting the wall I most likely would have quit the job all together because i was burned out.

I encourage anyone who really wants to understand the job and what it can do over a period of time to read this book and those others can read it to think what is going on in the mind of that officer as you see him pulling someone over in the middle of the nite.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book for those on the job or considering it, March 2, 2001

By 

NC 830.1 (CA. 94116) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Danger, Duty, and Disillusion: The Worldview of Los Angeles Police Officers (Paperback)

I have been a police officer for over 10 years with a large department in northern california. I have seen the good, bad and ugly. I look back now and I can see how my personality and attitude has changed towards this profession.

I read this book in two days. I was reading the chapter called hitting the wall and I had to stop because it was describing me to the number. I read other chapters that fit other officers personalities and I read how our personalities change with time, and the things that happen to us.

I passed the book onto my partner, who is not known to be a reader of anything besides the sports page and he also loved the book and finished it in a week.

Good book if you are considering this as a profession.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for the L.A. community, and LAPD management!, March 19, 2000

By 

zzebra "zzebra" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Danger, Duty, and Disillusion: The Worldview of Los Angeles Police Officers (Paperback)

I just read this 228-page book in about two days, and I would consider this book a must read for anyone thinking about entering the career path of law enforcement in a large municipal agency. Although this book talks about what is like being a Los Angeles Police officer from the point of view of the individual officers themselves, many of the experiences and stages of their careers are probably similar to that of officers in other large agencies.

The book is the work of an anthropologist and based on research that began in 1976 and went on for approximately 21 years. In analyzing and studying the LAPD police culture, the author unwittingly pin-pointed many of the causes of the problems endemic within the LAPD today. The interviews with some of the officers also reveal the pride they have in being a police officer, above and beyond all the negatives with which they are bombarded on a daily basis.

The book identifies all aspects of an officer's career beginning with the recruit phase and ending with retirement. I don't think I have ever found such a detailed and all-encompassing chronological study of any career. This book should be read by all LAPD officers, young and old, LAPD management, Los Angeles city political leaders, members of the criminal justice system, and most importantly, by the citizens of Los Angeles. The citizens of Los Angeles would really get an inside view about what makes their officers tick and how they think. We, as LAPD officers are always asked to be sensitive to the community and we are sent to dozens of cultural awareness classes and given sensitivity training on an annual basis. The very least we could ask is that members of the public also take time to find out a little about us, and what makes us what we are when you see us in uniform. That's not too much to ask.

The only regret I have is that I didn't find this book sooner, because by reading it I've identified some issues that are particular to me at this stage in my career. I will be in the process of addressing them soon, which will improve my view of the job. Thanks, Joan.