The aim of the study was to examine the process whereby an individual is socialized into an occupational role, develops an occupational identity based on that role's demands, and contributes to maintaining or modifying the role. The author spent 3 years observing every aspect of the working lives of police officers in a medium-sized Canadian city. His fieldwork revealed changes that have taken place in the police environment during the 1980's. General aspects of the work environment of police officers are examined along with the broad social, cultural, historical and institutional framework that police share with the community. Police officers themselves voice their own perceptions of the police bureaucracy as it relates to structure, rules and regulations, roles and expectations, and coworkers. The author deals with various aspects of the work environment including the broad social context shared with other community members, the criminal justice system, the police bureaucracy, and public opinion. Situations considered by the police to be the most crucial as they discover and develop their occupational identities are explored. Reasons why police officers become relatively isolated from society at large and often from their immediate family as well are considered. Police officers' responses to selected aspects of their occupation are analyzed such as internalization of a particular set of norms, transmission and reinforcement of attitudes, and behavioral tendencies prevalent in the police subculture. 121 references and 1 figure