Officer Ayala, who has been policing for three years, holds a master's degree in criminal justice.

"Police work is becoming a lot more complex. Out of my class of 18, about 12 had B.A.s. Some like me have a master's degree," she says.

Officer Ford also holds a master's in criminal justice. According to Officer Ayala, many of the CPD officers hold such a degree because of legislation which encourages officers to continue their education by providing salary raises based on the degree received.

We begin our tour checking emissions stickers on the front of cars, and then do a Code 86 by the Central T-stop, where many local drug dealers are known to hang out.

While officers don't ignore smaller deals, they also prefer to catch dealers with larger amount of drugs in order to commit them for a longer amount of time.

"You don't let it slide, but you don't want drug dealers getting off for personal use," explains Officer Ford.

As it begins to get dark, alcoholics and homeless are beginning to collect around the benches by the T-stop.

"We spend so much of our time dealing with alcoholics," says Officer Ayala. "We have the right to take custody of people under the influence of alcohol or drugs if they pose a threat to themselves or others."

According to Officer Ayala, this right is covered by Charter 111B, and alcoholics are therefore often referred to as "111s."

We put them in a shelter," says Officer Ayala. "If there is no room at the shelter, we take them to the station where they sleep it off. They are released when they are sober."

Officer Ayala calls the wagon for an intoxicated man sitting on the pavement. According to Ayala, 111s often get violent and have to be put in the wagon involuntarily. This old man, however, seems docile and grateful.

"Thank you. You're a nice man," says the alcoholic as Officer Ayala sits him down to wait for the wagon.

Cambridge police squad cars are not generally used for arrest or transport as they are not equipped with partitions. Only in an emergency when the wagon is busy will a car bring someone to the station, and then an officer will also sit in the back.

On our way down Mass. Ave., we bump into Detective Frank Pasquarello, public information officer for the CPD. He is taking a group of local blind people out to dinner.

After a minor motor vehicle accident and a failed attempt to serve a restraining order, Officers Ford and Ayala radio in to request time for dinner. I am treated to an excellent plate of pasta at Il Panino, and regaled with some of the best stories of the evening, all unfortunately off the record.