So You Want to Be a Cop [Paperback]

Frank Pickens (Author), Jeff Bonilla (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Great fun reading even if you've already worn a badge and carried a gun. But if you're not a cop, and if you want to be a cop, you've GOT to read this book. -- Al Angele, Executive Director, COPS

I have received the book and I have read it. It is a great book! Thanks a lot! -- BrianZXY, AOL Member

I was enthralled by every word on every page. I kept yelling at my wife about how great this book is in "telling it like it is"...I will certainly recommend this book to anyone thinking about pursuing a career in law enforcement. Captain Charles F. Beene, Ret. San Francisco Police Department -- Captain Charles F. Beene, Ret., San Francisco Police Department

If you know someone who is thinking about being a cop, buy this for them. If you are in the fire or medical service and want to find out what police work is like int the early stages, read this. If you are in law enforcement and want a trip down nostalgia lane, you'll find this easy reading. Good Job! -- Al Burton, 911 Magazine

It is enjoyable reading for even the most salty veteran on the force. It also provides great insight into the profession for the regular citizen. -- Houston Badge & Gun

From the Author

Our intention in writing this book was to show the inner workings of a police officer's job and depict what life as a cop can be like. We will take you inside the locker room, the briefing room and out onto the streets. You will gain valuable insights that usually take years on the job to learn. You will also see why when you put on the gun and badge, no matter what anybody says, you become part of a very special and elite brotherhood.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface Introduction Chapter 1 -- The Testing Process Chapter 2 -- Surviving the Academy and Field Training Chapter 3 -- Out On Your Own Chapter 4 -- Shift Sergeant Chapter 5 -- Silver and Brass Chapter 6 -- Community Relations Chapter 7 -- Burnout Chapter 8 -- Reflections

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: E E S Pubns (December 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 094454911X
• ISBN-13: 978-0944549117
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,281,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great overview of police work, humanizes cops in the news, May 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: So You Want to Be a Cop (Paperback)

With so many cop stories in the news today, this book helps the average person understand what it must be like to be a cop. It humanizes one's opinion of those who have chosen this career. It also makes one think: If I had chosen this path, would I have had what it takes to succeed? I don't plan on becoming a cop, but this book was very helpful in increasing my understanding of this difficult career.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Book, September 4, 2004

By 

J. Coreano "039" (San Diego) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: So You Want to Be a Cop (Paperback)

This book is well written and easy to follow. I was going to start the police academy so i bought this book to get an insiders look on things. It has a lot of great info and is right on with how the entire process works and what to expect. Ive read this book three times and every once in a while I pick it up just to read a chapter or one of the authors real life stories. This book is perfect for someone that is going to be a police officer, for someone that wants to know how officers think or if your a vet and want to remember the good old days. I recommend this book!!

5.0 out of 5 stars So You Want To Be A Cop, December 26, 2010

By 

Frank J. Pickens "Blade" (Denver) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: So You Want to Be a Cop (Paperback)

As Co-Author of this book , which was published in 1991 it has come to my attention that our Title,'So You Want To Be A Cop" which I and Co-Author Jeff Bonilla copyrighted has been used without our permission, or cheap rip-off's such as "So You Wanna Be A Cop", which is incorrect english for a title to begin with and I am sure the book is just as bad, have been used.

Our original Book, and it is original, is nothing like any other book you will find on this subject. It was both a groundbreaking book, and one so full of information that our old Police Academies would not let us market it to it's recruits. The Book was also used as a textbook at De Anza junior College's Police Reserve Class. People may try to rip off our original idea, but nothing will come close to the unbelievable content in our book, and previous descriptions of the goings-on inside the Police Infrastructure that most people never knew.

I am not trying to sell the book, I do not have to, the book does that by itself. Simply put it is a great book. However I would caution you NOT to waste money on cheap imitations like "So You Wanna Be A Cop", and others. Thank you and everyone, who has taken the time to review this book.

Frank Pickens