The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 24, 2025

A policewoman plays games with community children. Shortly afterward, the officer became pregnant and was assigned a desk job for the period of her pregnancy, from Police Work

1978

Leonard Freed

(American, 1929–2006)
America
gelatin silver print
Image: 15.6 x 23 cm (6 1/8 x 9 1/16 in.); Paper: 17.9 x 23.8 cm (7 1/16 x 9 3/8 in.); Matted: 35.6 x 45.7 cm (14 x 18 in.)
Gift of George Stephanopoulos 2013.189
© Leonard Freed /Magnum Photos
Location: Not on view

Description

In his Police Work series, Freed portrayed both positive and negative interactions between New York City police officers and citizens. The Sunday Times of London commissioned this work but ultimately published only the less flattering photographs of the police, which shocked readers and infuriated Freed. The caption that titles this image provides insight into the life of the police officer beyond the moment depicted. How does the title influence your perception of her?
  • Black in America: Louis Draper and Leonard Freed. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 26-July 30, 2017).
    Gallery One rotation: April 21, 2015 - November 2, 2015.
    Gallery One 2012. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 12, 2012-March 5, 2017).
  • {{cite web|title=A policewoman plays games with community children. Shortly afterward, the officer became pregnant and was assigned a desk job for the period of her pregnancy, from Police Work|url=false|author=Leonard Freed|year=1978|access-date=24 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2013.189