I will reserve judgement on the new series although I find the Piglets thing a bit offensive however my all time favourite was 'The Thin Blue Line'. When the Bill was on TV I remember someone asking me whether I liked it and was it true to life. My reply was that it was rubbish - couldn't watch it without throwing stuff at the TV - and that it was The Thin Blue Line for me every day. Loved the CID/Uniform division - that really struck home. I worked in a Central London nick in uniform and one of the DC's used to constantly talk about Wooden Tops but threw a huge tantrum when he heard someone talk about the Filth (with reference to the CID) - still makes me chortle.
I used to like 'Cops with Cameras' because some of the police officers play the production team like a Stradivarius, while others make complete arses of themselves without realising it. There was one episode where a Welsh TSG type unit were running around dressed like commandos, doing silly army hand signals and kicking in doors like Gwent were Fallujah. They seized a single cannabis plant. Meanwhile, in Yorkshire, a team of fat, scruffy, Ginsters-eating detectives wearing tracksuits knocked on a door with a warrant, were unflaggingly polite and found a veritable Aladdin's Cave of contraband. Brilliant.
I agree about the Federation sending an “outraged from Scotland Yard” letter, wouldn’t be surprised if it features in the Piglets programme.
The best and funniest police series was the 1970’s Rosie, his crew mate, a PC Wilmott was the cynical cop that everyone once worked with, it was brilliant. Sadly, if they ran it again the politically correct brigade would be up in arms.
The job has changed, it’s been de-funded to a large extent, recruitment and vetting have failed in a spectacular way, anyone want to take responsibility (Theresa?). I’m hoping for an outbreak of Edmund Davies support and an increase in confidence in the service/force. Let us pray…..
I for one wish they’d either said nothing or as you said gave a sarcastic and ironic response. Instead they’ve made themselves look stupid and to some extent police as a whole.
It reminds me of a Sgt at our section box where there were a fair share of feral estates. There was some huge graffiti sprayed on a disused pub in the middle of one estate “ (Sgts nickname) is a nonce”
Everyone returned with excitement to see his reaction. I never forget him sat eating his lunch smiling saying, “Ha, I don’t care, good to see I’m getting under their skin”
It was a valuable lesson to me as a young cop on how to take the insults and roll with the punches.
Dom, excellent piece as ever. Bought back memories of the most outrageous, offensive (at times) eloquent, misogynistic officer I worked with my tutor constable brilliant cop thief taker and inspiration oh a she was a lovely person (RIP)
I will reserve judgement on the new series although I find the Piglets thing a bit offensive however my all time favourite was 'The Thin Blue Line'. When the Bill was on TV I remember someone asking me whether I liked it and was it true to life. My reply was that it was rubbish - couldn't watch it without throwing stuff at the TV - and that it was The Thin Blue Line for me every day. Loved the CID/Uniform division - that really struck home. I worked in a Central London nick in uniform and one of the DC's used to constantly talk about Wooden Tops but threw a huge tantrum when he heard someone talk about the Filth (with reference to the CID) - still makes me chortle.
Yep I was surprised as a new officer to learn the CID were routinely called 'The Filth' by uniform!
I'd rather watch re-runs of Operation Good Guys.
Now that is a funny police comedy.
I used to like 'Cops with Cameras' because some of the police officers play the production team like a Stradivarius, while others make complete arses of themselves without realising it. There was one episode where a Welsh TSG type unit were running around dressed like commandos, doing silly army hand signals and kicking in doors like Gwent were Fallujah. They seized a single cannabis plant. Meanwhile, in Yorkshire, a team of fat, scruffy, Ginsters-eating detectives wearing tracksuits knocked on a door with a warrant, were unflaggingly polite and found a veritable Aladdin's Cave of contraband. Brilliant.
I've never really enjoyed the 'real' police shows. Even refused to take a Cops camera crew out with me when I was at Acton in the late 80s.
I agree about the Federation sending an “outraged from Scotland Yard” letter, wouldn’t be surprised if it features in the Piglets programme.
The best and funniest police series was the 1970’s Rosie, his crew mate, a PC Wilmott was the cynical cop that everyone once worked with, it was brilliant. Sadly, if they ran it again the politically correct brigade would be up in arms.
The job has changed, it’s been de-funded to a large extent, recruitment and vetting have failed in a spectacular way, anyone want to take responsibility (Theresa?). I’m hoping for an outbreak of Edmund Davies support and an increase in confidence in the service/force. Let us pray…..
Thanks Dom, enjoy your articles immensely.
I for one wish they’d either said nothing or as you said gave a sarcastic and ironic response. Instead they’ve made themselves look stupid and to some extent police as a whole.
Excellent writing. Thanks.
It reminds me of a Sgt at our section box where there were a fair share of feral estates. There was some huge graffiti sprayed on a disused pub in the middle of one estate “ (Sgts nickname) is a nonce”
Everyone returned with excitement to see his reaction. I never forget him sat eating his lunch smiling saying, “Ha, I don’t care, good to see I’m getting under their skin”
It was a valuable lesson to me as a young cop on how to take the insults and roll with the punches.
Dom, excellent piece as ever. Bought back memories of the most outrageous, offensive (at times) eloquent, misogynistic officer I worked with my tutor constable brilliant cop thief taker and inspiration oh a she was a lovely person (RIP)
The lack of diversity in the cast means I shan’t be watching!
Somehow, the federation have to find ways to take themselves seriously.
The point I take from your article is the slow death of police humour.