The relationship between policing and the media has increased in recent decades but with different intentions from the two sides. The police have utilised the media in increasing the appeal for information as well as providing information to the community regarding current crime and methods of prevention, whereas the media on the other hand exploit policing of crime purely for entertainment purposes (Reiner and Newburn, 2003).
Police officers and policing work is portrayed in many different lights through various types of media today, including news, television series (fiction and non-fiction), movies and books. This varies from for example the ‘corrupt’ cops in Underbelly: the Golden Mile to the ‘dumb’ cops in the Policy Academy films all the way through to the portrayal of the ‘real’ cop in current reality television shows such as The Force: Behind the Line and RBT. The ways in which police officers are portrayed in the media plays a great role in influencing peoples’ thoughts and opinions surrounding the police force and often the media is uses this to its advantage. For example, following television series supposedly based on true events such as Underbelly: the Golden Mile led to greater questioning of corruption in the police force. Through these programs we see the police as the ‘bad guys’ and the actual criminals as somewhat good through the use of clever cinematic techniques. Seeing the crime from the criminal’s perspective somehow makes us believe that it is ok. From the other end of the spectrum, we have shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation that allow us to view crime through the police officers’ perspectives, having an opposite effect. Then we have reality TV; an attempt at demonstrating the ‘reality’ of police work. I believe that shows like The Force: Behind the Line and RBT do try to change our attitudes toward police officers. For example on The Force: Behind the Line it often shows young adults with characteristics resembling ourselves and peers in training for the police force which leads us to believe that policing is almost ‘cool’ in a way.
As a previous dedicated viewer of CSI I believed I wanted to enter the field of forensic science as an adult, however the career is not as ‘glamorous’ and fun as it seems on crime TV – an industry heavily reliant on all that is gory, dangerous and fatal. The reality of this particular form of policing is in no way apparent in current media except for the occasional book entailing a biography of a real life forensic investigator – of which are rarely promoted, I believe in attempt to ‘cover up’ real accounts of the true nature of the policing industry. A book by Esther McKay entitled Crime Scene is one of my favourites as it is the tale of her short-lived career in the forensic investigation unit at Campbelltown before she was discharged with post-traumatic stress disorder – a disorder more common in the police force than is let on. McKay states on page 1:
“day after day my life was consumed with killings, distress and gruesome sights, each one adding another piece to an ever-growing mosaic that seemed to be made up of bloodied disposable gloves, plastic bags and human waste”
She goes on to explain scenes she witnessed which have haunted her forever such as the body from a suicide liquefied in the car, bodies so decomposed limbs fall off when they are moved and not to mention the smells or thousands of blowflies.
But we don’t see this stuff on TV or in movies, they make it look like a dead body will be clean, fragrance-free and easy on the eye, but it is highly misleading, especially for those dreaming of a career in the police force. If you haven’t already read Crime Scene I highly recommend you do so! Especially if you like me have considered a career in forensic policing...
References
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 2000 – present, television series, CBS, the United States of America
McKay, E. (2006) Crime Scene, Sydney: Penguin.
Policy Academy, 1984 - 1994, series of motion pictures, Warner Bros.
Reiner, R. and Newburn, T. (2003) Handbook of Policing: Policing and the Media, Cullompton: Willan
RBT, February 2011 – present, television series, Nine Network, Sydney
The Force, 2006 – present, television series, Channel Seven, Perth
Underbelly: the Golden Mile, 2010, television mini-series, Nine Network, Sydney
I've read Esther's book too. Doesn't paint a pretty picture does it?
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