Initially my presence was greeted with skepticism, especially from supervisors who believed, probably accurately, that nothing good could come from my writing. One lieutenant told me: “Moskos, I like you. But I don’t want anything to do with your book. I don’t want to be in it. I don’t want my name in it. I don’t want any part of it.” Outside of this reference, he’s not.
That quote is from Cop in the Hood. That very lieutenant (if my memory is correct) sent me the following email:
Moskos,
I hope you are doing well.
You were always a genuine “good guy” and always listening and learning.
Can’t wait to get the book.
It isn’t like it used to be around here. You would probably only know a handful of people at the Eastern.
Good Luck, …………
Those are very kind words. Of course any two-bit grad student can listen and learn, it’s the actual “doing” that makes you real police.
I received a follow-up email on 28 April:
Yes, I believe it was I the one who said don’t put me or my name in your book. That’s OK.
The small portion I read online looks great! It should be mandatory reading for all high school seniors to give them a taste of reality not seen on MTV’s “real world”.
So how’s life as a professor? I hope things are going well for you. I bet some of your students can’t believe some of the stories you can tell them about inner city life.
I think the experience you’ve had will be nothing but good for your career, and life in general.
You’ve had the chance to see things 95% of society doesn’t know exist.
With any luck all of your students will become right wing conservatives!