Individual papers consider the basic character of police work, its relationship to the courts and community, and the wide range of functions performed by street-level police officers. Additional papers focus on police work related to juveniles, police discretion in the emergency apprehension of mentally ill persons, and the role of research regarding police work. Further writings explore the conflicting demands made upon the police by their formal mandate, public expectations, and the nature of both the organization of which they are a part and the larger legal system in which they operate. The discussions emphasize the peacekeeping functions of the police and reflect extensive direct observations of police on duty. Index, chapter notes, and reference lists. (Publisher summary modified)