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Armed and Dangerous: Memoirs of a Chicago Policewoman (Illinois) Paperback – April 6, 2002

by Gina Gallo (Author)

52 customer reviews

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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.

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

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Product Details

Series: Illinois
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Forge Books (April 6, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312878907
ISBN-13: 978-0312878900
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #838,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #90 in Books > Law > Legal Theory & Systems > Gender & the Law
- #320 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Regional U.S. > Midwest
- #588 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Professionals & Academics > Law Enforcement

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Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars

5 star		83%
4 star		15%
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2 star		2%
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Top Customer Reviews

Learn the truth about the C.P.D.

By Ladylou302 on April 14, 2001

Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase

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!

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Just exactly how big is a gerbil?

By G. Anderson on March 29, 2001

Format: 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

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You have the right to read this book....NOW!

By A Customer on April 6, 2001

Format: 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.

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Shooting Straight From The Heart

By gary mcnabb on March 22, 2001

Format: Hardcover

Do NOT leave ... until you buy this book.
Gina Gallobrings us the straihtforward, honest, too-strange-to-be-anything-but-real story of her 16-year career as a Police Officerin the City of Chicago.
From the first day of the Training Academyto the "routine" call that ended her career, Gina tells itlike it is in the world behind the badge. If you've ever read a bookthat runs the full gamut of emotions, you'll understand what I'mtrying to say here. From laughing out loud to holding back tears withthe turn of a page, you'll be spellbound.
Go ahead....try to remainstoic as Gina relates the story of having to kill a man just aftercompleting her training. Try not to laugh as she paints a word pictureof a domestic dispute that ends up with one of the combatants walkingaround, fully concious, with a hatchet sticking out of the back of hishead. Try not to flinch when she gives every detail of the assaultthat ended her career.......I dare you.
Gina's ability to put intowords the emotional and physical challenges of a thankless job iscertain to catapult her to the top of the charts. Be one of the luckyfolks that can say "I read her first books and have been hookedever since"
BUY IT NOW

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Made me Cry

By Tom Ward on March 25, 2001

Format: Hardcover

Reading your book made me laugh, remember and even cry Gina. Thanks for all the memories that have been put somehwere in the back until now. Hope someday to meet you and buy you a beer and give you a big hug. From a broken down old retired insane fish. Gina...you da best!

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Powerful

By Deborah Woehr VINE VOICE on March 17, 2002

Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase

Armed & Dangerous is an excellent book whether you are considering a career in law enforcement or not. Gallo begins her story with her father, who was shot on Easter, describing the pain of being a child of a police officer. She vowed never to become an officer, but life's circumstances forced her to change her mind.
From there, she takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride from her days at the Academy to the day she resigned from the Chicago Police Department. Her depiction of the Academy made me wonder if this was fiction because I couldn't believe the brutal fashion in which the trainers handled future officers. A few of them left the Academy with permanent disabilities and no chance at a law enforcement career. She tells us how the rest of them made it through that grueling period, by banding together and forming a team. Being a team player is the most important skill in police work.
I felt like I was right there with her as she described her first day on the job with a slacker for a field trainer and how that trainer deserted her when she needed him to back her up. She tells us what it was like to kill a man and what that did to her soul. She tells us what it's like to see a mutilated baby and then have to be professional in dealing with his murdering mother. And, she tells us what it's like to have to go to the same neighborhoods to deal with the same people day after day. There are lots of heartbreaking stories in this book and some incredibly funny ones, too.
I found myself laughing out loud at the craziness and the stupidity of both the criminals and the corrupt officers. More often than not, however, I felt disgusted by the drug addicts and the political games of the department brass.Read more ›

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

GREAT READ!

Absolutely a great read!!
Especially if you're a young woman going into the field...this clarifies everything. All of those "what ifs" are answered in this book.

Published 21 days ago by Ravyn Williams

Recommended for everyone

As a former police officer I would recommend this book to everyone, especially non-police. The book does a great job showing the difficulties of the job, how police officers... Read more

Published 2 months ago by dadw2girls

Five Stars

The best cop book ever!!!!!!

Published 2 months ago by Corleone

Funny, sad, and real (mostly!) a quick read of short stories in the...

Great book, Gina! I can relate!

Published 3 months ago by Mary M.

Eye opening

This book was difficult to put down. It was well-written and shared stories that I just had to know the endings to, so I read it very fast! Read more

Published 3 months ago by L Gallagher

I'm a female that has been in law enforcement for ...

I'm a female that has been in law enforcement for 25 years. Miss. Gallo NAILED IT as to how it is for females to be in law enforcement.

Published 5 months ago by Michelle L. Bray

Required reading for anyone who truly wants to understand cops

Will change your view of cops and the life rhey lead

Published 6 months ago by Ed

Armed and Dangerous

One of the BEST and true to Chicago police life books written. And I know.. When Gina Gallo writes you are right there in the beat car with her. Buy the book.

Published 6 months ago by Firpo

Five Stars

Entertaining and well-written story. This held my attention til the end. I couldn't put it down.

Published 7 months ago by crazy8bargain

Four Stars

very good read

Published 7 months ago by BADBILLY

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