What's the deal with "COPS" tv?

[Snowdog311]

I always thought this was all staged but then I found out it wasn't, okay...

How does you're department get on COPS? Is there a volunteer thing, do you or your department get any benefits out of it?

Do police tend to "act" because they know they're on camara? I know I would if I was on it. Does the camara have strict rules to where he can't interfere with police work?

Basicly, what is the general premis of "COPS?"

[Jenna]

As someone who works for Langley and used to work specifically for the COPS show i can assure you nothing about is staged. However, COPS was recently purchased by the USA network and they are taking over all future productions of the series.

The folks at Langley would approach the depts in which we felt would bring viewership based on size, activity, crime stats, and many other things. Surprisingly, the majority of departments refuse to be filmed...for many reasons, primarily legalities.

Some officers do "get into the role" and others are just very natural. It varies with the individual officers who we are filming with.

There are VERY strict guidelines set forth for anyone on the crew...sound, video, etc. We do not wish to jeopardize anyone's safety or anything that may affect the case, etc. We also have our own legalities. There are pages upon pages of do's and dont's for anyone on the crew.

All in all, its really just what you see. Who knows how and if it will change with USA taking over...but we'll see.

[99TAC]

did you seriously think it was staged? bwahahahaha :D

Jenna, I watch COPS religiously, and I've seen a lot of times where the film crew was in great jeopardy. Just today the cameraman came within inches of being run over by a fleeing vehicle. What about the rules of the crew actually getting involved? I once saw the sound guy tackle a suspect during a foot chase. That seems like a big no-no.

[Samuel]

I think those camera guys are in pretty damn good shape... lol

[Stump]

Originally posted by Samuel
I think those camera guys are in pretty damn good shape... lol

Amen to that!! It cracks me up that the camera guy can keep up with a cop on a foot chase, and the camera guy has a huge camera on his shoulder!
I also saw an episode once, years ago, where the camera guy put his camera down and assisted in CPR with a cop.

[Jenna]

I would recommend to you all the book The Jump Out Boys by Hank Barr, one of the show producers/audio techs. It details alot about being on an actual filming crew.

I can tell you that not many of the camera/audio crew are that in shape, but are able to do their job. I should dig up some old pix of some of them and post em...but they are a good group.

[America]

Snowdog311, I can see someone thinking that those cops are possibly acting, but enough of a variety would happen anyway...so I wouldn't think they would have to make stuff up. Sometimes "COPS" is funny, too. because suspects try to say different things to cover up what they did or act like they're not "with it". Once this guy was walking down the street -I think with a huge appliance- (looking like something from a basement), and when the cops asked the guy why he was pushing it down the street in the middle of the night he basically said he didn't know and he was just walking. Some are sad..especially when an officer is in pain. Citizens don't get to see this stuff so it's neat to us.
Also, I've never seen a cop act like he was trying to be on the camera the most, or anything like that. They seem to just be explaining what they're doing as they go along - like if any person were to go to work with them.

America

[Darin]

I've been a loyal watcher of Cops for years. I dont see how anyone could think it was staged. You could really tell which cops was "acting" like some of the ones from the early episodes from Broward County I believe.

One episode that sticks in my mind is an early episode from Washington. 2 deputies went on a call for possible child neglect. This guy had 4 kids in an apartment and there was no food at all. His wife(or ex wife) just dropped them off for him to raise and he obviously wasnt prepared. So the deputies gave him an hour to clean the apartment and in that time the deputies went and bought them 4 bags of groceries. When they came back the apartment was cleaned up and the kids got the groceries. Is this something that cops do on a regular basis or was that extraordinary?

Darin

[vbgecko]

Originally posted by neinta
There is one officer I ride with who will not let me buy my own drinks and food. He always pays for me.

I think the nice once always do that (really, really sweet people). My problem is that I HATE spending other peoples money (I think its a pride issue). I tried explaining it to this Deputy I was riding with, but I think he thought I was making an excuse for finicky eating. *lol*

[America]

"TO BE A SUCCESS...A STAR"

To
shine
devoutly
in ceasing years, to twinkle
humbly when all wishes are
on you, to glow
steadfast when
theres no light to
follow except within
and to stay bright and
warm in the dark
of it all to me

makes a star.




By, Me