"Many children, from the time they are old enough to be attracted to a siren and flashing lights, dream of becoming a police officer. As a retired police officer herself, Alley Evola looks at the daily ins and outs of the job of a police officer. Through recruitment, life at the academy, patrol, and eventually promotion, she provides a helpful understanding of what you can really expect. She also looks at current issues, including race and gender, and how these have shaped certain expectations from the public that a police officer needs to be prepared for when working in this field. When you're young and dreaming, you don't think about the process it will take to become a police officer. The many challenges and issues you will face in the field are not evident until after the police academy. [This book] is for everyone who secretly wishes they were a police officer or is pursuing their dream in the hope of transforming it into reality." -- Back cover.