Abstract
The article reflects on the apprenticeship period and modes of reasoning and expertise of the Police aux frontières (PAF - the border police) and customs, based on qualitative research using informal interviews and observation. An initial period of research revealed specific professional cultures in the two organisations. The author distinguishes different forms of interactions relating to foreigners between the police and customs, including the particular professional ethic of customs in which the war against drugs is seen as a national priority. Analysis of life history interviews underlines the power of early socialisation to affect professional practice. A typological analysis, however, identifies three areas common to both police and customs which transend to some extent the modes of professional knowledge.
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