The author notes that significant changes have occurred in policing during his 25 years in this work. He joined the Boston Police Department in 1970. Policing was entering the era of professional policing and was introducing technology such as the 911 system, computer-aided dispatch, and the increasing use of motorized patrol. The three R's of policing were rapid response, random patrol, and reactive investigation. However, these approaches were ineffective. The concept of community policing gradually evolved. It involves the three P's: partnership among police, other criminal justice agencies, other government agencies, and the community; problem-solving; and prevention. The focus of policing has changed. Among the changes are an emphasis on beat policing, quality-of-life signs of crime such as squeegee pests and illegal peddling, cleaning up graffiti, and re-engineering the organization to decentralize it. Overall crime has declined 27 percent in the last 2 years; homicide and robbery rates have declined even more. Nevertheless, the need for drug law enforcement and further efforts to address police corruption remain major concerns. Footnotes