Outhouse to the White House

"How does someone who grew up never liking cops become the top cop in three of America's largest cities? How does someone who never heard the word "criminology" prior to attending college earn a bachelor's degree, master's degree and a doctorate in criminology? I joined the San Jose, California Police Department at a time when many white Americans could not accept the idea of a black man with a badge. Most of them expected to see a white officer arrive on the scene when they called for assistance. On more than one occasion I answered a call for assistance and arrived only to be told, "I want a real cop." Given that type of experience who would have ever imagined that 30 years later I would be the chief law enforcement official of the nation's second largest standing army -- New York City Police Department."--From introduction.