KEEPING THE PEACE: A Police Chief Looks at his Job

by Herbert Jenkins ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 27, 1970

Probably the most interesting incidental in this true blue account of the head of the Atlanta Police Department appears in the first chapter--when Jenkins joined in the early '30's the Klan gave any policeman his official ID card. He became chief in 1947 at which time his first objective was a good training school. This was followed by the admission of black policemen and the changes which would bring about cooperation between the police and the ""power structure"" as muttered threats of trouble on both sides actualized in the '60's. He outlines the social measures instituted (employment and schooling and food for ghetto residents); crone prevention clubs; etc. He also discusses the problem areas--wiretapping, guns (106 of 141 homicides in one year in Atlanta were due to firearms), pornography, along with some newer police methods and techniques. But much older and more obvious seem the dictates that the ideal police officer must embody ""honesty and sobriety"" or that if there were less poverty, there would be less crime. However well-intentioned, none of it seems to have any reach for the ordinary citizen.

Pub Date: May 27, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper & Row

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1970

Categories: NONFICTION