AFTER AN OVERVIEW OF POLICE WORK IN GENERAL, THE PARAMILITARY STRUCTURE FOUND IN MOST DEPARTMENTS IS EXPLAINED. BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTIONS ARE GIVEN FOR PATROL OFFICERS, TRAFFIC OFFICERS, YOUTH (JUVENILE) OFFICERS, DETECTIVES, CRIME LABORATORY WORKERS, COMMUNICATION WORKERS, AND SPECIAL AGENTS. THE EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS, PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS, AND SPECIAL TRAINING REQUIRED FOR EACH JOB ARE EXPLAINED. MENTION ALSO IS MADE OF THE WORK OF PARK POLICE, HARBOR POLICE, SHERIFFS, AND STATE TROOPERS. THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SMALL MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, WHICH EXPECT OFFICERS TO HANDLE ALMOST EVERY PROBLEM ARISING AND LARGE CITY DEPARTMENTS, WITH THEIR MANY SPECIALISTS, ARE REVIEWED. THE FINAL CHAPTER DISCUSSES THE WORK OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI), NARCOTICS AGENTS, AND OTHER SPECIAL DUTY FORCES. A SIMPLE GLOSSARY DEFINES POLICE-RELATED TERMS. (GLR)