THE SOCIAL CONTEXT IN WHICH THE POLICE FUNCTION IS DISCUSSED AND SIMILARITIES IN THE WAY IN WHICH POLICE HAVE HANDLED DISRUPTIONS IN EVERY ERA ARE INDICATED. THE BOOK USES A COMPARATIVE APPROACH IN PRESENTING RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES TO ACCOUNT FOR THE POLITICAL STANCE OF VARIOUS POLICE OFFICERS. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE MYTHS ABOUT THE POLICE ARE EXPLORED AS WELL AS THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF POLICE WORK. THE AUTHORS DEAL WITH THE ORGANIZATIONAL AND INSTITUTIONAL CONSTRAINTS OF THE POLICE SYSTEM AND THE PROBLEMS OF POLICE PROFESSIONALIZATION. THE SOURCES OF THE POLICE VALUES OF SECRECY, AUTHORITARIANISM, AND DEFENSIVENESS ARE EXAMINED. THE CHAPTER ON POLICE DISCRETION PRESENTS THE SOCIAL, ORGANIZATIONAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL VARIABLES OPERATING IN THE EXERCISE OF THAT DISCRETION. RELATIONS BETWEEN POLICE AND THE GHETTO URBAN COMMUNITIES AND THE RANGE OF LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING POLICE WORK ARE CONSIDERED. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGE ARE PRESENTED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)