This study investigates the operational realities and underlying assumptions of specialist police detective units tasked with drug law enforcement. Matthew Bacon, a researcher in criminology, utilizes extensive ethnographic fieldwork conducted within two English police service areas to examine how proactive investigation strategies are implemented. The work challenges the official narratives presented by police organizations by contrasting them with the day-to-day practices observed on the ground.

Experts in the field of police studies recognize this work as a significant contribution to the understanding of detective culture and the practical implementation of drug enforcement policies. Readers frequently note the academic rigor and the depth of the qualitative data provided by the author.