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On the Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department
Inspired by his family's roots as Chicago Police members, award-winning journalist Daniel P. Smith draws the curtain to reveal the officers of the Chicago Police Department and their personal stories. Whether on the frontlines of a bloody battle over gangland turf or at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, from officers who battle personal demons to those who celebrate the adrenaline of the chase, this resource peers into a world of individuals trying to simultaneously balance work demands with the needs of their own private lives. Far from the imaginative portrayals sprouting from American television, the honest and sincere stories shared in the book are of those who carry the Chicago Police star alongside their life’s ambitions, responsibilities, and realities. The Chicago Police Department is a mythical and legendary law enforcement unit as well as a closed-door society. In On the Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department, Daniel P. Smith draws the curtain to reveal the officers and their personal stories. Smith, an award-winning journalist and the product of a Chicago Police family, explores the work/life juxtaposition of the men and women—mothers and fathers, realists and idealists, cynics and consolers—who don the Chicago Police star. From officers on the frontlines of a bloody battle over gangland turf to those at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, from those who battle personal demons to those who celebrate the adrenaline of the chase, On the Job peers into a world of individuals trying to simultaneously balance work demands with the demands of their own private lives. Far from the imaginative portrayals sprouting from American televisions, On the Job shares the honest and sincere stories of those who carry the Chicago Police star alongside their life's ambitions, responsibilities, and realities.
213 pages, Paperback
First published February 8, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 2, 2011
Daniel P. Smith is a journalist who comes from a family of cops. He understands the mentality of a cop and has done an enormous amount of research, part of which comes simply from being around cops his entire life. I attended a training session Mr. Smith gave regarding the perceptions police have of the public and vice versa. It was a valuable training session and I was engaged throughout the entire session. It was during this training that I received a copy of "On the Job" and was lucky enough to have it personally autographed by Mr. Smith.
Unfortunately, I didn't find the book nearly as engaging as the training session. I wish more of Mr. Smith's personality would have come through in his writing, but it did not.
The book focuses on individuals in the Chicago Police Department and how the job influenced their lives. There are some fascinating stories about officers in different divisions and in different stages of their careers; from the street cop to the former Deputy Superintendent; and from the rookie to the retired cop. I'm sure this would have been much more interesting if I was from the Chicago area. Since I am not, I had trouble really getting into the book. It was also very dry reading, without much to draw me in. Not to mention, there were some glaring editorial mistakes that distracted me.
If you are from the Chicago area or have a personal tie to the Chicago Police Department, this might be a good book to read. For me, it was just okay. I feel that I got a brief overview of how the CPD works, but it wasn't much more for me than that.
On a positive note: if you ever get the chance to see Daniel P. Smith give a presentation in person, by all means, attend!
I received a copy of this book at no charge from the author. This in no way influenced my review of the book.
Unfortunately, I didn't find the book nearly as engaging as the training session. I wish more of Mr. Smith's personality would have come through in his writing, but it did not.
The book focuses on individuals in the Chicago Police Department and how the job influenced their lives. There are some fascinating stories about officers in different divisions and in different stages of their careers; from the street cop to the former Deputy Superintendent; and from the rookie to the retired cop. I'm sure this would have been much more interesting if I was from the Chicago area. Since I am not, I had trouble really getting into the book. It was also very dry reading, without much to draw me in. Not to mention, there were some glaring editorial mistakes that distracted me.
If you are from the Chicago area or have a personal tie to the Chicago Police Department, this might be a good book to read. For me, it was just okay. I feel that I got a brief overview of how the CPD works, but it wasn't much more for me than that.
On a positive note: if you ever get the chance to see Daniel P. Smith give a presentation in person, by all means, attend!
I received a copy of this book at no charge from the author. This in no way influenced my review of the book.
June 20, 2011
First of all let me say I really wanted to like this book. My dad who is retired CPD got this for me because he met the author somewhere. Now let me explain that my dad LOVES all things CPD. He started in 1967 and retired a few years ago. He knows I love police stuff... probably because I grew up around it my whole life. So he gave me this book without reading it himself first.
But this book. Goodness. The author is NOT on the CPD. He never was, although he had two uncles, brother, father, and brother in law who were. I think the thing that bothered me the most was on the second page where he explains that because he had relatives who were CPD indirectly he was too. Wait. What? So does that mean because my dad was I'm one too? Maybe I'm being overly critical but that logic didn't work for me. There's also a chapter called "Who Are We?" We? How about "Who Are They?" because you aren't a CPD dude. From what I read you don't even live in the city. (Which is a residency requirement to be on the department.)
It wasn't all bad...
The history of the CPD was interesting and so were some of the photos. I liked a few of the police officers stories that they told. (And btw I was taught calling police "coppers" was not polite and to say "police officer". The term "copper" was all over this thing. Equivalant of nails on a chalk board for me.)
At least I can honestly tell my dad I read the book when he asks me.
But this book. Goodness. The author is NOT on the CPD. He never was, although he had two uncles, brother, father, and brother in law who were. I think the thing that bothered me the most was on the second page where he explains that because he had relatives who were CPD indirectly he was too. Wait. What? So does that mean because my dad was I'm one too? Maybe I'm being overly critical but that logic didn't work for me. There's also a chapter called "Who Are We?" We? How about "Who Are They?" because you aren't a CPD dude. From what I read you don't even live in the city. (Which is a residency requirement to be on the department.)
It wasn't all bad...
The history of the CPD was interesting and so were some of the photos. I liked a few of the police officers stories that they told. (And btw I was taught calling police "coppers" was not polite and to say "police officer". The term "copper" was all over this thing. Equivalant of nails on a chalk board for me.)
At least I can honestly tell my dad I read the book when he asks me.
October 18, 2012
Loved reading about the history of the CPD and the personal stories, many brought tears to my eyes! Finished the book in 24 hours!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews