Policing the Media: Street Cops and Public Perceptions

In this review of Policing the Media, David D. Perlmutter offers a grounded, field-based look at how street officers and their communities are portrayed and misunderstood through mass media. The book is aimed at readers who want an ethnographic perspective on policing rather than a policy primer; its single biggest reason to read is the author's firsthand experience riding with patrol officers and joining the department as a reserve policeman, which gives the narrative an immediacy and nuance often missing from media-driven accounts.

Key Features

• Ethnographic fieldwork: The book draws on direct patrol rides and reserve duty to present firsthand observations of daily police work and officer decision making.
• Interviews and personal observation: Perlmutter supplements riding experiences with interviews that illuminate officers' philosophies and the context behind street interactions.
• Black-and-white photography: The author's photographs visually document cops and the people they interact with, adding a documentary layer to the written account.
• Focus on media paradox: The text examines how televised visibility does not equate to public understanding, offering a focused critique of media effects on perception.
• Department ethnography: The report structure walks readers through the institutional culture of a police department as experienced on patrol.

Who It's For

Policing the Media is best for students of media studies, sociology, criminal justice, and readers interested in law enforcement from a qualitative, human-centered angle. Those who appreciate on-the-ground reporting and a sociological lens will find the book rewarding.

Readers seeking statistical analysis, contemporary policy prescriptions, or a procedural manual for policing should look elsewhere; the book is interpretive and observational rather than a technical guide or reform blueprint.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The firsthand patrol experience provides a vivid, credible look at street policing.
• Interviews and observations reveal the ambiguous attitudes officers hold toward televised portrayals.
• Black-and-white photographs enhance the ethnographic narrative and document real encounters.

Cons

• The book is observational and interpretive, so it offers limited policy recommendations or quantitative data.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Policing the Media is a valuable read for anyone wanting a qualitative, inside look at how street officers see themselves and are seen through media lenses. Its ethnographic detail and photographic documentation make it a worthwhile purchase for students and thoughtful readers, though those seeking numbers or reform plans will need a different title.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the author have direct policing experience?
Yes; Perlmutter rode on patrol and served as a reserve policeman, which forms the basis of the book's observations.

Will this book help with policing policy debates?
It offers useful context about perceptions and culture but does not provide detailed policy prescriptions or quantitative analysis.

Are there photographs included?
Yes; the author includes black-and-white photographs of officers and the people they encounter to support the ethnography.