In order to gain firsthand knowledge of police work, the author first approached the chief of the university police and, after passing required examinations in law enforcement and use of firearms, was sworn in as a campus police officer in December 1978. In 6 months, he became aware of the necessity for close cooperation between all law enforcement agencies in a small town, appreciated the seriousness of problems handled by the university police, and reversed his negative attitude toward police carrying guns. In the summer of 1979, the author joined the Huntsville city police and continued to work for both agencies during the following year. Reflections on these experiences emphasize that police authoritarianism is a necessary means of survival in a crisis situation and display an increasing sympathy for police in handling drunks, responding to false alarms, and being frustrated with the courts. The skepticism and cynicism which police officers tend to share also became more understandable. Other observations address the close relations between town and university police and their shared sense of protecting the community. Also discussed are the sense of physical isolation one feels in police work and the sense of camaraderie among officers that is necessary for mutual support. See NCJ 83248.