San Francisco Police Department (Images of America) [Paperback]

John Garvey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 11, 2004

The officers of the San Francisco Police Department would be the first to tell you that police work in this city is nothing like Dirty Harry, The Streets of San Francisco, or Nash Bridges. It's a gritty reality, occasionally infused with glamour, but always characterized by the innovation and unusual proceedings found as a matter of course in this unique city. The department was established in 1849, when the population surge from the Gold Rush created a desperate need for law enforcement. An initial 35-member force was formed to protect over 20,000 residents. Since then, the SFPD has presided over notorious events, including the case of the Zodiac Killer, Zebra Murders, the Patty Hearst Hibernia Bank robbery, the 1975 assassination attempt on President Gerald Ford, and the Golden Dragon Restaurant and 101 California Street Massacres. While the SFPD story includes a gruesome and sometimes scandalous past, its dedicated officers continue to provide a positive and invaluable service to the diverse metropolitan community of San Francisco. Culled from archives and private collections, this collection of vintage photographs pays tribute through the years to the women and men behind the Star.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author and native San Franciscan John Garvey, whose ancestors served on the early force, is a graduate of the SFPD Citizens Police Academy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (October 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738528986
• ISBN-13: 978-0738528984
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #744,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars San Francisco Police Department, February 7, 2007

By 

Sandra L. Perry "Sandy From Calif" (Grass Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: San Francisco Police Department (Images of America) (Paperback)

I thought it was a great reminder of how wonderful the police officers of San Francisco were and are. ---
I opened the book and found a picture and an article about my father and how he rescued people from a burning fire. An event he never told my mother about, possibly afraid that it may upset her. ---
There were/are so many wonderful police officers in SF I wish the book could have covered more of them.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Quick Look At SFPD's Past, April 12, 2009

By 

George Gong (Vallejo, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: San Francisco Police Department (Images of America) (Paperback)

After reviewing other works on law enforcement history this book while full of nice pictures, is average yet reasonably priced. The author John Garvey appears way too "rah! rah!" and seems to make excuses or reasons behind alot of questionable incidents involving SFPD. Honestly a simple paragraph as to what transpired and simply let the reader draw their own conclusion would had worked better. I also understand the book traces on the history of the SFPD, nothing was even mentioned of the many San Francisco related specialized agencies that worked hand in hand with the city's police force. Namely the Housing Authority Police. MUNI Transit Police. Institutional Police. Park Patrol. Harbor Police.