While in school for law enforcement and during the academy time we'd watch and critique different actions on the show. While it's not exactly 'real" becuase of the cameras, much is what an officer may encounter. However one doesn't enter the profession hoping for that stuff as the job - as my instructor once said - is 99% boredom and 1% sheer terror.
Do Cops Watch "COPS"?
- Thread starter CTD99
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Zach S
Member
That show has got to be a lot of work in the cutting room.
I'm not a cop, but I do watch the show on occasion.
As for the police chase shows, I stopped watching them. I couldnt count how many times I saw that old ford truck running on the rims, wrecking in the median, and the guy getting out to say "I need a beer." Not to mention the corvette that spun out while passing a tractor trailer with the guy walking away from the pile of fiberglass without a scratch, or the white S10 than ran a red light and got flattened by a peterbuilt. Then there's the suburban (or blazer?) that gets stuck in the desert during their getaway. And lets not forget the guy that gave them a hell of a run in his white extended cab chevy truck, and then turned out to be a cop. And of course, "The south carolina Mustang is still on the job."
These people, and that south carolina mustang, are immortalized in police shows. If they arent in the "scariest police chases" that comes on at 20:00, they're in the "Scariest police videos" that comes on at 21:00 right along with that guy that got his revolver shout out of his hand, and the car caught in a flood where the helo lands on the hood twice to get the women out. I think it takes a hell of a pilot to do that, twice, but I've seen it so many times the whole "aw factor" has worn off.
Lets not forget the narrator for both of those shows, Sherriff John Bunnell (ret.) and his "police have super crime-fighting powers that you cant escape" attitude. Dont get me wrong, I have a lot of respect for LEOs (yancey county NC LEOs excluded), but you arent Jedi's. I liked him a lot better when he was returning stolen property to the owners in the suspect's front yard and then leaving a message on his machine.
//edit: Well, this post turned out to be a lot longer than I planned, sorry...
I'm not a cop, but I do watch the show on occasion.
As for the police chase shows, I stopped watching them. I couldnt count how many times I saw that old ford truck running on the rims, wrecking in the median, and the guy getting out to say "I need a beer." Not to mention the corvette that spun out while passing a tractor trailer with the guy walking away from the pile of fiberglass without a scratch, or the white S10 than ran a red light and got flattened by a peterbuilt. Then there's the suburban (or blazer?) that gets stuck in the desert during their getaway. And lets not forget the guy that gave them a hell of a run in his white extended cab chevy truck, and then turned out to be a cop. And of course, "The south carolina Mustang is still on the job."
These people, and that south carolina mustang, are immortalized in police shows. If they arent in the "scariest police chases" that comes on at 20:00, they're in the "Scariest police videos" that comes on at 21:00 right along with that guy that got his revolver shout out of his hand, and the car caught in a flood where the helo lands on the hood twice to get the women out. I think it takes a hell of a pilot to do that, twice, but I've seen it so many times the whole "aw factor" has worn off.
Lets not forget the narrator for both of those shows, Sherriff John Bunnell (ret.) and his "police have super crime-fighting powers that you cant escape" attitude. Dont get me wrong, I have a lot of respect for LEOs (yancey county NC LEOs excluded), but you arent Jedi's. I liked him a lot better when he was returning stolen property to the owners in the suspect's front yard and then leaving a message on his machine.
//edit: Well, this post turned out to be a lot longer than I planned, sorry...
Raptor5191
Member
I only watch it if I am REALLY bored and there is absolutely nothing else on and I have NOTHING else to do.
More often than not I watch in awe as guys are making stupid decisions for the camera and comprimising their safety and the safety of others.
More often than not I watch in awe as guys are making stupid decisions for the camera and comprimising their safety and the safety of others.
ScottsGT
Member
Not a cop, but...
I pity someone whose job take them to the scum of the earth as you see a lot on on this show. It will give you a different respect for guys in uniform if you watch this show and realize that everyday at work, this is what you have to deal with. I could not do it.
Also makes one understand why cops get an "attitude" as some here like to call it, toward people that have been pulled over for a minor traffic violation. Face it, when your dealing with the type of humans you see on Cops everyday, it will effect someone.
I like to watch the show when I think my job stinks!
I pity someone whose job take them to the scum of the earth as you see a lot on on this show. It will give you a different respect for guys in uniform if you watch this show and realize that everyday at work, this is what you have to deal with. I could not do it.
Also makes one understand why cops get an "attitude" as some here like to call it, toward people that have been pulled over for a minor traffic violation. Face it, when your dealing with the type of humans you see on Cops everyday, it will effect someone.
I like to watch the show when I think my job stinks!
RustyShackelford
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Cops/network version-syndicated series
I remember watching Cops in the early 90s with members of my US Army MP platoon. We'd watch the show while we were drinking and yell at the TV.
One MP I was stationed with at FT Vee VA became a Petersburg VA police officer, he was on Cops in the late 1990s. He had to deal with a large snake under a woman's porch.
I like the newer Cops. The format where they show different areas on the same show is better than the old style where they'd be in the same city for weeks at a time.
I've taken issue with some of LEOs I've seen on the show. I saw an older female cop in Pittsburgh who let a subject go off on her rather than control him, . I also saw a newer segment where a LEO in Las Vegas NV said on camera how he "takes his time" responding to some calls, . He was also very brash and talked down to the citizens he was dealing with. The cop said he was from New York, .
Rusty
I remember watching Cops in the early 90s with members of my US Army MP platoon. We'd watch the show while we were drinking and yell at the TV.
One MP I was stationed with at FT Vee VA became a Petersburg VA police officer, he was on Cops in the late 1990s. He had to deal with a large snake under a woman's porch.
I like the newer Cops. The format where they show different areas on the same show is better than the old style where they'd be in the same city for weeks at a time.
I've taken issue with some of LEOs I've seen on the show. I saw an older female cop in Pittsburgh who let a subject go off on her rather than control him,
. I also saw a newer segment where a LEO in Las Vegas NV said on camera how he "takes his time" responding to some calls, . He was also very brash and talked down to the citizens he was dealing with. The cop said he was from New York, .Rusty
Nitrogen
Member
Watching COPS is great training for civillians, to watch how most people in police situations give up their rights. Amazing how many people on that show incriminate themselves, give up their 4th amendment rights, etc.
It's actually great policework on the police's part; getting people they have a reasonable suspicion of guilt to give their rights up and incriminate themselves; it's a great study in how to do it.
Take that as a good thing or a bad thing.
It's actually great policework on the police's part; getting people they have a reasonable suspicion of guilt to give their rights up and incriminate themselves; it's a great study in how to do it.
Take that as a good thing or a bad thing.
rcellis
Member
FWIW, I know a doctor who watched St. Elsewhere and E.R. but refuses to watch House. Not sure what to think of that...
MountainPeak
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Of course! I like bare chested men!!! 
fastbolt
Member
Not willingly ...
Understand I'm not a cop, I'm not anti cop. I'm not critisizing cops doing what they believe is right. I believe cops are doing a needed service, and I'm trying not to second guess there decisions, but.......
Anyone seen any racial "overreactions" or "excessive force" used on COPS? I see some force used on more blacks than whites.
I'm always amazed at how (durning sting operations) they usually run up to the perp guns drawn and slam them to the ground when the perp has done nothing to resist or indicated he would resist. Is this for the cameras? I realize there needs to be a "show of force" to overwhelm the subject, but I see (what I believe)some excessive force.
I also see K9's allowed to bite when the subject is not resisting, or has quit resisting.
Am I an uneducated civilian? or am I seeing something done wrong?
Anyone seen any racial "overreactions" or "excessive force" used on COPS? I see some force used on more blacks than whites.
I'm always amazed at how (durning sting operations) they usually run up to the perp guns drawn and slam them to the ground when the perp has done nothing to resist or indicated he would resist. Is this for the cameras? I realize there needs to be a "show of force" to overwhelm the subject, but I see (what I believe)some excessive force.
I also see K9's allowed to bite when the subject is not resisting, or has quit resisting.
Am I an uneducated civilian? or am I seeing something done wrong?
Raptor5191
Member
CTD:
In a nutshell:
Yeah.
In a nutshell:
Yeah.
ScottsGT
Member
Just great material for the civil defense attorneys.......
slicknickns
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I asked a cop once if he watched that show, he told me yes because he said that it shows the mistakes an officer can make.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Some times, if its on~!
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