Van C
LA-5
July 11, 1995
When I hear the word "Cop," many images come to mind. On television shows and movies, the role of cops is overexaggerated from being the violent out-to-catch you cop to the everyday friendly cop. In observing today's movies and shows, cops play four major different roles: the out-to-catch you cop, the friendly cop, the "hero" cop and the corrupt cop.
Every now and then when I see a cop drive by, I pretend I am a rock in hopes that he won't see me, even though I know I haven't committed any crimes. Television shows influence my opinion on cops especially when I see them chasing hoodlums and shooting down criminals. In reality, we don't see cops using guns or violence everyday, but in the show, "Cops," where they claim to be filming live, cops are constantly involved in gunfights or they're forced to use violence against the criminal.
Cops aren't always violent, though. There are also the shows which portray cops as the friendly, everyday neighbor, like in the show, "Family Matters," where Carl, the father, is not only a cop, but he is also a caring, gentle father who deals with family problems. As I recall, there was only one episode that really showed his role as a cop when he was called for a stakeout.
In many television shows, cops show both personalities, the kind and friendly cop, but also the criminal chasing cop. One television program which shows cops with both personalities is a popular '80's show called "Chips." In the beginning, the cops try to help someone in need, which leads to a chase with the "bad guy" and in the end everything works out and everyone learns a lesson. For example, there was an episode where Chip, the main character, who is a cop, meets a girl who has been manipulated by some drug dealers and she is forced to sell drugs. Chip tracks down the dealers, throws them in prison, and the girl learns to never hang around those type of people. The cops in that particular show are somewhat heroes since they have the characteristics of a hero, being strong, brave and courageous, yet friendly, kind and gentle. Most of the time, the actors who play the role as a cop in that show are handsome and loved by everyone.
Many people think that cops are always there to help you and you can trust them. There are some movies which depict corrupt cops. In the movie, "Unlawful Entry," a cop is obsessed with a man's wife and tries to kill him for his wife. The cop takes advantage of his privileges as a cop to enter the couple's home and disturb them. At the beginning though, the couple took the cop in their home as a friend, because he had saved them from an intruder who tried to cause trouble in their house. This movie made me view cops in a different way. I was scared because I knew that in reality there are cases like that, but these cases are not as serious. The most serious case involving corrupt cops is the Rodney King case where four white male cops purposely beat up a black man who, apparently, had been drinking. There aren't many corrupt cops in reality, but when it happens, it can be really frightening.
In some ways, television is influenced by what occurs in the outside world, but television alters reality and overexaggerates the roles of cops. It is simple to see that cops aren't really that bad or really that nice, but television has a way of making us believe cops can be like they are depicted on TV or movies. Although it is entertaining to watch cops chase down criminals on television, it can be frightening when you believe it can happen in reality.