Ride with me in Portland, Oregon while I chase a stolen car into the Willamette River, catch burglars with arms full of stolen tools, and wrestle violent criminals. Portland is a large metropolitan city, where in one month, an officer may wrestle knives and guns from suspects, take bank robbery calls, intervene in dangerous drug busts, and chase drunk drivers and run away teens. Guns are commonplace. Knives are an everyday experience. Felony arrests are nearly routine. Police work is dangerous, threatening, exciting work, and rewarding work. Ride with me. When I applied for the position of...