ABSTRACT
This chapter chronicles the expectations, experiences, and outcomes of an early career ethnographer trying to complete their PhD thesis on armed policing in two police organisations in England. The chapter highlights the lack of reporting on the access process in police ethnographies and shows how gaining access can be difficult and time-consuming, particularly as an ‘outside’ academic. The chapter provides the following recommendations to facilitate the process of gaining access. First, plan your research thoroughly, considering both your topic and style of ethnography. Second, approach a wide range of stakeholders in advance of your fieldwork, remember that you are ultimately responsible for creating and taking the opportunities that ensure your project’s success, and you will inevitably need to overcome challenges and false starts. Finally, once you have gained access, be alert to opportunities to leverage and extend that access to enhance a richer understanding of your topic.
