This heartfelt memoir of a long career in Canadian policing captures the ups and downs, the challenges and rewards, and the transformative impact that the profession has on people who devote their lives to it. It explores the profound and intimate relationship that police officers share with humanity in their struggle for community safety, and protecting the dignity and humanity of the people they serve.

Written in a lucid and engaging storytelling style by a veteran of Canadian policing, Staff Sergeant Robert "Bob" Chrismas's The Watch elucidates some of the good and bad of police officers responding to crimes and emergencies in service to fellow citizens as they protect a community's public safety. Staff Sergeant Chrismas has worked tirelessly to improve community wellbeing in his police work and in his off-hours as a volunteer. This excellent book deserves broad readership from law enforcement, the judiciary, the media, community activists, peacebuilders, academics, policymakers, politicians, students, and anyone interested in community policing.

Dr. Sean Byrne, Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Manitoba