Cop in the Hood: My Year Policing Baltimore's Eastern District

An important contribution to the drug war debate

George Orwell once said, 'during times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.' I sincerely hope that the hard truths discussed by Peter Moskos in 'Cop in the Hood' will help to incite a revolution in policing and American drug policy. From 1999 to 2001, Moskos put his academic training to the test by working as a police officer in Baltiore's crime-ridden Eastern District. The result of this experience is a wonderful book that will inspire many, while ruffling feathers among those who benefit from the drug war and 'tough on crime' propaganda. Moskos discusses the socialization of police recruits, the camraderie among officers and the toll that policing a ghetto takes on officers. He also criticizes 911 and the false hopes of rapid response, while advocating a new emphasis on foot patrol and crime prevention. Moskos finishes strong by revealing that drug prohibition is simply a continuation of the failed 'noble experiment' of alcohol prohibition. 'We're standing in the hole of failed prohibition. Can't we stop digging,' pleads Moskos. And we can, but only if we develop the will to demand an end to this irrational war, and a new style of policing (borrowing from a more traditional style) that stresses quality of life over arrests and other statistics. I recommend this book to everyone, but especially law enforcement officers. Police work will always be tough, but the American status quo makes this occupation much more unpleasant than it needs to be.

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