Officers ranging from new recruits to staff sergeants with more than 25 years experience were interviewed. Findings indicate that officers begin their careers making sharp distinctions among citizens and situations and gradually exhibit fewer of these distinctions as they gain more experience. Officers' beliefs that they have a personal impact on policing practices and outcomes rise slightly up to 7 years of service and then decline to levels lower than that reported by new recruits. Role conflict peaks in the second year, then drops and levels off unitl it sharply declines when the officer becomes a detective, perhaps because of greater autonomy afforded the officer at this stage. Officers also become aware of a hardening within themselves over the years, as well as a reduced willingness to trust others. These findings indicate that changes should be made in officer recruitment and training, feedback and supervision, and promotions and assignments to ease the burden of police work. Eight references are included.