Police Headquarters - Quentin Reynolds

Police Headquarters provides an inside look at the New York City Police Department. The book was published in 1950 and offers a detailed account of the day-to-day operations of the police department, including its organisational structure, methods of operation, and the challenges faced by officers on the beat.

Reynolds spent several months embedded with the NYPD, accompanying officers on patrols and observing the inner workings of the department. He documents the various roles played by officers, from beat cops to detectives, and provides insights into the complex relationships between the police and the city's political establishment.

The book also explores the history of the NYPD, including its origins in the mid-19th century and the various reforms and innovations that have shaped the department over the years. Reynolds provides detailed descriptions of some of the most infamous cases handled by the NYPD, including the 1928 murder of Arnold Rothstein, which is widely believed to have been the first major mob hit in New York City.

Through his reporting, Reynolds portrays the police department as an essential institution that plays a vital role in maintaining law and order in a city as vast and diverse as New York. He also delves into the complexities of policing in a city with a large immigrant population, where issues of language and cultural differences can complicate law enforcement efforts.

Tear to the dust jacket and some signs of ageing