The Popolo Policeman

Book excerpt: The Popolo Policeman By: Tony Gonzalez As a youth, Tony Gonzalez had many encounters with the law which led to multiple arrests and stays in juvenile detention facilities. Despite this rocky start, he had the drive to succeed on the right side of the law. Tony graduated from Kaimuki High School, then went on to Boise Junior College where he ran track and played football. In 1963, he became a police officer in Honolulu, earning many department and citizen commendations, including Honolulu Policeman of the Year in 1973. His experiences as a policeman are chronicled in The Popolo Policeman. Through Tony’s experiences on both sides of the law, The Popolo Policeman gives a firsthand look at the social dynamics of the criminal and law enforcement communities in Honolulu during the 1960s and 1970s. Unique and in-depth, Tony’s memoirs as presented in The Popolo Policeman offer valuable insight into this exciting period in Honolulu’s history.