Street Blues: The Experiences of a Reluctant Policeman

by Andrew Brown

In 1999 Andrew Brown donned the uniform of the new South African Police Service as a rookie reservist, after years of viewing the police as the enemy. This book documents his experiences over nearly a decade, offering a glimpse into the day-to-day life of a police officer on the beat in one of the most crime-ridden societies in the world.Street Blues takes the reader from high-octane car chases and drug busts to the gritty world of gangsterism and prostitution. It covers issues as diverse as hijacking and petty theft, traffic collisions and firefighting. Brown explores the stresses and complexities of police work, the fear and frustration, as well as the camaraderie and courage. Shifting between tragedy and humour, this book gives personal insight into a perilous and sometimes shocking world that affects us all.Written from direct experience rather than distanced observation, Street Blues is a must-read for anyone concerned with crime and policing in South Africa.

209 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked this. Though not a police officer, I've had enough contact with them, and worked enough crazy scenes as an EMT, that I think I can make at least the beginnings of a comparison of Americans and South African police forces. I found the similarities an differences to be the most interesting part of the book for me. (Which is not to say that the rest of it wasn't interesting, because it was. Brown is quite a good storyteller.) People are the same the world over, as are police - good, bad, green, jaded. How they are equipped to handle what is thrown at them (sometimes literally!) can vary wildly. This gives excellent insight to what day to day poli face in Africa.

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book about the experiences of a police reservist patrolling the streets of Cape Town and environs. Delves into the rich political and cultural world of post-apartheid South Africa.

[Duzzlebrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very quick read. The author was a police reservist for ten years, and this book is a brisk memoir of some of the things he saw and did in those years. He doesn't waste much time in woolgathering, which is good, but on the other hand the book isn't very informative. The writing style is occasionally very evocative of places and people I've met myself, and that earns the book an extra star.

[Helga Schaberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking and insightful. I'm glad it wasn't the gore and sensationalism that we find in the newspapers.