The introduction by a veteran police officer discusses the real world of the police officer behind the public images. He discusses the officer's family, the highs and lows of dealing with the full range of human behaviors, and motivations for entering policing. Subsequent chapters document a 24-hour day with police officers around the Nation. The beat begins with roll call in a New York City Police Department and ends, 24 cities later, with a SWAT team of the Honolulu Police Department. Photographs and personal reflections by officers themselves reveal the many facets of police life. A "Legends and Heroes" chapter profiles 24 extraordinary police officers selected by their departments for mention in the book. Some were chosen for single acts of bravery, others for sacrificing their lives in the line of duty, and others for years of extraordinary service. The final chapter reflects on past and current police practices and reviews the obstacles and opportunities that confront America's police.