The police officer is the most visible aspect of the body politic and is most likely to intervene directly in the daily lives of citizens. Police officers are socialized into the work group to accept the occupational frame of reference.
Survival develops from the nature of patrol work.
This article describes the occupational perspective of patrol officers and the effect it has on their attitudes and behaviors. Van Maanen argues that the occupational perspective consists of conduct, organization, routines, and management of careers. This perspective is learned through the process of work group socialization. This ideology is bound by common experience and knowledge. It strengthens and preserves the codes, agreements, and habits existing in the work place.