ROLES OF THE PATROLMAN AND THE POLICE ADMINISTRATOR, AND POLICE DISCRETION ARE DISCUSSED. THREE STYLES OF POLICING - THE WATCHMAN, THE LEGALISTIC, AND THE SERVICE STYLES ARE ANALYZED AND THEIR RELATION TO LOCAL POLITICS IS EXPLORED. SIX OF THE COMMUNITIES CITED FOR THIS ANALYSIS ARE FROM NEW YORK STATE - ALBANY, AMSTERDAM, BRIGHTON, NASSAU COUNTY, NEWBURGH, SYRACUSE. THE OTHERS ARE HIGHLAND PARK, ILL. AND OAKLAND, CALIF. WILSON DISCUSSES CHANGING THE PATROLMAN'S BEHAVIOR AND EXAMINES CURRENT PROPOSALS FOR REORGANIZING POLICE DEPARTMENTS. THE ABILITY OF THE PATROLMAN TO DO HIS JOB MAY DETERMINE SUCCESS IN MANAGING SOCIAL CONFLICT AND IN MAINTAINING A PROPER BALANCE BETWEEN LIBERTY AND ORDER. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)