NCJ Number
41550
Journal
Human Relations Volume: 30 Issue: 3 Dated: (1977) Pages: 237-247
Date Published
1977
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A SURVEY OF 816 POLICE OFFICERS IN NEW JERSEY SHOWED THAT POLICE OFFICERS FAVOR SHOWS IN WHICH REALISM AND POLICE PROFESSIONALISM ARE PRIMARY CHARACTERISTICS, WHILE THEY DISDAIN UNREALISTIC 'SHOOT-'EM-UP' TELEVISION SHOWS.
Abstract
RESPONDENTS WERE QUESTIONED ON HOW OFTEN THEY WATCHED POLICE T.V. SHOWS, HOW THEY RATE THE 'REALISM' OF THESE SHOWS, AND HOW THEY FELT THESE SHOWS AFFECTED PUBLIC ATTITUDES. THIRTEEN SHOWS WERE CONSIDERED. OF THESE, THE SHOWS CONTAINING THE GREATEST DEGREE OF PROFESSIONALISM WERE MOST POPULAR. REALITY OF THE EPISODE, BELIEVABILITY OF THE CHARACTERS AND DIALOGUE, AND CORRECTNESS OF INVESTIGATORY AND OTHER PROCEDURES WERE CITED AS IMPORTANT FACTORS. HOWEVER, THE KEY TO SHOWS' POPULARITY WAS THE LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT EXHIBITED BY THE OFFICERS. A MAJORITY OF THE OFFICERS FELT THAT WHILE POLICE SHOWS MAY HELP THEIR IMAGE, THEY ALSO LEAD THE PUBLIC TO EXPECT TOO MUCH OF POLICE....DMC