The genesis of the book is a series of executive forums where successful law enforcement executives discuss factors that positively and negatively influence their careers. It examines law enforcement survival from three perspectives: demands upon the individual, demands from within the police department, and external/environmental pressures. The book discusses dealing with the media, behaving as a professional, becoming more involved in the community, establishing new policing procedures within the department while eliminating former procedures, and dealing with roles, leadership, missions, management, planning and budgeting, associations, and quality policing. The Police Executive Research Forum estimates that the average large city police chief will last anywhere from 2 1/2 to 4 years on the job. Factors likely contributing to the turnover rate include: (1) increases in the number of competing constituencies chiefs must appease; (2) new demands and expectations of police departments and police chiefs; and (3) the perception that all government (including police programs) was part of the problem, not the solution. The book credits guidance from experienced law enforcement personnel, formal education, and in-service professional training programs with providing a sound backdrop for executing responsibilities, but claims that actual application of skills and knowledge is where more learning takes place. Tables, figure, bibliography, resources, appendix, indexes