BOOT: An LAPD Officer's Rookie Year in South Central Los Angeles

by William Dunn

"The Rodney King incident and the OJ Simpson trial brought the LAPD national notoriety as a police force out of synch with the city it polices. But is this force of 9,000 men and women really made up of mavericks and rogues? In this revised edition of a timeless true crime classic, rookie police officer William Dunn takes you inside that other LAPD, one where hard working cops battle for the average citizen while dodging gangsters' bullets.

Set during one of the city's most turbulent years in the middle of one of its most impoverished, and violent, neighborhoods, Los Angeles as seen through the eyes of rookie Officer Dunn is a potentially volatile, constantly changing landscape. To be a good cop, and survive the experience, Dunn quickly learns from some unforgettable teachers how to lay down the law on the streets. Dunn's dispatches from the frontlines of LA are dramatic, humorous and touching. Every day there is another drive-by shooting, high speed chase or just downright bizarre situation to be dealt with. Dunn offers some of the most compelling insights into the challenges facing a young street cop � and the way we keep peace in America's most dangerous policing districts.

This edition also includes a ""Guide for the Law Enforcement Candidate"", including insight into the police application process, as well as a sample test to help those interested in a career in law enforcement prepare for the journey."

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, True Crime

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1996

Reviews

[Jack Oughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be an extremely well told and gripping look at the year in the life of a rookie policeman in the LAPD. I would not want to do what this man did - fascinating.

[John Suzuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging book that contains many interesting stories that I enjoyed very much.

[Emily Burkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this on a whim, it being the latest of my dad's Goodwill finds. I learned a fair amount of what goes into being an LAPD cop in the hardest part of the city. The prose is a bit stilted (referring to even his co-workers as "an Hispanic male" or a "black female" as way of description), but I'll forgive the author his cop-talk because, well, he's a cop! If anything even that idiosyncrasy teaches you something about the mindset and lifestyle of the police officer. The narrative is very matter-of-fact and deals very specifically with events pertaining to Dunn's first year in the South Side department. Very little is mentioned about his personal life. Needless to say, the narrative takes the form of short anecdotes or extended short stories.

[Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty fun read and probably recommended for anyone who might be interested from the title. The cop was a lot more objective than he might have been and does not come off like too much of a jerk for an LAPD.

But HOLY CRAP did Ray Charles copyedit this book? The Crips were formed in 1950?! Really?! Come on man, I'm a white guy from Texas and even I know that the Crips weren't formed in 1950. Per wikipedia Raymond Washington wasn't even born until 1953. (I know, wikipedia is kinda goofy, but really is there a more reputable source for checking the crips' founder's birthdate?) For a book that covers gangs as one its central themes this blunder gives its credibility a really serious hit.

[daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic read!

This book is so great, it had me reading page after page. I was always excited to read the next chapter since every chapter brings something new with it. Im currently in college studying to join the Police force one day, and this read was really influential in enforcing my desires to join the Police force. I recommend this book to anybody interested in law enforcement, or even people who want to know more of the daily challenges that police officers go through.

[Stephan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was interested in reading this book because of the title. What an exciting experience it must be to be a rookie officer with LAPD. The perspective has its moments of humor and suspense, but mostly it flows at a slow pace and seems like just a jumble of old war stories. I still enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to anyone interested in working for LAPD, especially all the parts about how easily the department will "throw you under the bus" for dumb stuff.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straightforward and well-written book about being a cop patrolling gang neighborhoods in LA. Dunn tells stories well and obviously has a lot of source material to pull from, including a handful of stranger than fiction moments. I read this after reading a bunch of James Ellroy books and thought it was a good complement to his work.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brisk read, Dunn is an excellent storyteller and the characters he meets on both sides of the law are fascinating. Very similar to the fiction of Joseph Wambaugh.

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. Gave me motivation to become a police officer. Very good account of life on the streets.

[Raymond Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, I read this book at least 5 times and it kept me engaged every time.