Vice: One Cop's Story of Patrolling America's Most Dangerous City

John R. Baker · Stephen J. Rivele

Jan 2011 · Macmillan + ORM

About this ebook

9 square miles. 10,000 criminals. 130 cops. A riveting memoir by Baker, California's most-decorated police officer

Compton: the most violent and crime-ridden city in America. What had been a semi-rural suburb of Los Angeles in the 1950s became a battleground for the Black Panthers and Malcolm X Foundation, the home of the Crips and Bloods and the first Hispanic gangs, and the cradle of gangster rap. At the center of it, trying to maintain order was the Compton Police Department, never more than 130-strong, and facing an army of criminals that numbered over 10,000. At any given time, fully one-tenth of Compton's population was in prison, yet this tidal wave of crime was held back by the thinnest line of the law—the Compton Police.

John R. Baker was raised in Compton, eventually becoming the city's most decorated officer involved in some of its most notorious, horrifying and scandalous criminal cases. Baker's account of Compton from 1950 to 2001 is one of the most powerful and compelling cop memoirs ever written—an intensely human account of sacrifice and public service, and the price the men and women of the Compton Police Department paid to preserve their city.

Ratings and reviews

Personal views aside... I would have liked to have seen the writer focus more on the discussing the gangs and the changing demographics affected social interactions within the communities; in particular the school's and the jails as well as personal relationships, influence, power and territorial expansion.

I have 2 granddaughter's that are from Victor Granado, whom is Victor Granados' (John Wayne from Cv3 gang) oldest son. They didnt get to meet there grandfather but at least there's a book that they can read about once they get older. John Wayne was one hell of a guy everyone in the hood loved him. He was always full of life. Missing my older homie RIP JOHN WAYNE

Very entertaining book. Vivid and informative about policing in Compton and Los Angeles, and why having officers who grew up where they patrol might be the way to go.

About the author

SGT. JOHN R. BAKER is an 18-year veteran of the Compton Police Department. He lives in Las Vegas, NV.

STEPHEN J. RIVELE is the Academy Award-nominated screenwriter of Oliver Stone's Nixon, and of Will Smith's Ali. Rivele is also the author of eight previous books. He lives in Pasadena, CA.