The New Centurions (novel)

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The New Centurions is Joseph Wambaugh’s first novel, published in 1971. Wambaugh, an LAPD officer at the time, writes a semi-autobiographical, easy-to-read story about the pressures of police work in Los Angeles during the early 1960s. The book is more episodic than plot-driven and follows three young officers as they move from uniform patrol to detective work, ending with their experiences during the Watts riots in August 1965.

Three main officers
- Serge Duran: A Chicano Marine who becomes a patrol officer in East LA. He wrestles with his ethnicity, falls for a Mexican waitress, and later works in Juvenile Division. His chapters focus on identity and belonging.
- Gus Plebesly: From a middle-class background, he doubts his courage and learns to trust a wise veteran mentor, Kilvinsky. He faces racial tension, marriage strain, and becomes a veteran who helps new rookies.
- Roy Fehler: Bookish and skeptical, he hates the rigid police system but grows through tough assignments in Newton and then Watts. He battles alcohol, injuries, and personal doubt, ultimately finding redemption through a relationship with Laura Hunt.

Themes
- The book explores what makes a seasoned officer, the transition from rookie to veteran, and the toll of police work.
- It tackles issues like racism, adultery, alcoholism, and suicide within the LAPD.
- The narrative stays close to the characters’ perspectives, highlighting the psychological impact of crime and danger.

Watts riots
- The final part centers on the Watts riots, told from Duran, Plebesly, and Fehler’s viewpoints. Small acts of leadership and restraint by ordinary officers are shown as crucial in restoring order, rather than large-scale violence alone.

Film and reception
- The novel was adapted into a 1972 film by Columbia Pictures, with George C. Scott as Kilvinsky and Stacy Keach as Fehler.
- It became a bestseller, remaining on The New York Times list for 32 weeks.

Overall
- The New Centurions offers a vivid, character-driven look at policing in 1960s Los Angeles, drawn from Wambaugh’s own experiences with the LAPD.