The issue of order maintenance policing revolves around the conflict of preserving reasonable levels of order in a city, as defined by tradition and statute, versus protecting the essential rights of the city's citizens. The author emphasizes that civility, order, and predictability in daily contact with strangers affect all aspects of urban life, ranging from commerce and industry to education and public safety. Nonetheless, maintaining order is controversial for at least two reasons: there is no clear and consistent definition of disorder, and the maintenance of order is dependent upon controlling certain activities that are not illegal. Police officers derive their authority for maintaining public order from law, professional wisdom, and community traditions. 1 note and 10 references