Researchers have generally concluded that certain personality types are drawn to police work, because such a role is compatible with their abilities, interests, and needs. Then, during their careers, there is a broadening of experience, a hardening of attitudes, and a tendency toward alienation from the community. The present study interviewed officers attending the Inspectors Course and the subsequent Junior Command Course at the British Police Staff College. Each officer, most of whom had at least 10 years of service, was asked how his/her personality and character had been shaped during his/her police career. Each officer was subsequently interviewed at least twice. The majority of officers believed they had changed as a result of being police officers. Fairly uniform changes occurred in the officers during their careers. During the first few years of service, there is a 'broadening of experience.' Additionally, the officer develops greater independence, becomes more assertive, and begins to 'harden' emotionally. Later on, officers maintain their assertiveness, recognize their 'adaptability,' become more confident, more suspicious and cynical, more understanding of the plight of others, and more calculating and manipulative. The police social philosophy is generally characterized by a commitment to the existing social order. Recent projects by officers attending courses at Bramshill revealed that officers perceived themselves as authoritarian, alienated from the public, racially prejudiced, concerned to display masculine traits, viewing the world as threatening, and secret admirers of the well-educated. Forty notes are provided.