The cops all seem very relaxed and trusting of everyone..it's like they are very patient..as a American I'm so used to people getting slammed to the ground and cops being on edge 24/7 is this pretty accurate of the British Police?
shareI assume you meant to type depiction? Anyway, we don't have the gun-crime problems that you have in the US, and as Happy Valley is set in northern England I would say that the police are more relaxed and good natured, unless you get on the wrong side of them of course!
From what I've seen of the police, yes, it's accurate. They'll be on patrol in the city centre (Nottingham) at the weekends at chucking out time, and generally take a low key, conciliatory tone, being more interested in people getting away safely than in making arrests. And of course as they don't carry firearms they have to use different tactics.
I'm the clever one; you're the potato one.
Do cops carry guns in the UK anywhere? I think I remember seeing "The Fall" and Belfast police did carry guns...maybe?
It's amazing to watch this from Chicago, of all places....or as they call us "ChIraq". I can't believe cops can do their jobs without guns. Kinda sad I guess.
Things like The Fall take liberties with what actually happens to an extent, but NI is an exception because of its history. Even then most officers don;t seem ever to use their weapons.
Elsewhere we have armed response teams who can be mobilised when necessary but no officer is routinely armed. ARUs think it a job well done if they don't have to fire a shot.
You will occasionally see armed police outside certain Courts if high profile cases are going on, and for some State occasions (although then it's generally the army involved) but it's unusual enough to be disquieting.
There are occasional calls for the police to be armed, but so far not only people at large but the police have resisted it. I think the police recognise that the minute they start to carry firearms the ante is well and truly upped and criminals themselves will be tooled up.
I hope it doesn't change.
I'm the clever one; you're the potato one.
First, I was a cop in mid-sized US city for 37 years. Second, for some perspective on this question, I've also had some dealings with officers from the Norfolk Constabulary. Our regional training academy did a host/exchange program with Norfolk for several years, with 6-7 constables coming here and spending time with the academy and local departments. For two separate 9 day stretches a constable lived with me and went to work with me. We got to talk a lot about our jobs and one thing was very clear: there are many universal truths about police work anywhere and everywhere. Some of the constables also worked with police in other European countries, and again they made the same observations with them. We dealt with the same problems and handled them the same way. The ubiquity of guns in the US was the one difference, which does impose some additional issues. The gun thing was discussed at great length between us. But as to the show being a true depiction of police work, well, outside of some dramatic license, it is one the most realistic shows I have ever seen with respect to a lot the day-to-day interactions. It even recognized the functions of rank structure, which American shows are pathologically adverse to or ignorant of (probably both). There is a basic politeness that comes across with the English as opposed
the classic American interactions. I was amused once when we came to a four-way stop sign at an intersection and a constable, whose primary assignment was traffic enforcement, remarked at how everyone waited their turn to go- she didn't think that would happen so smoothly back home.
BTW, Cawood did her fair share of body slamming, including one incident in season one where she pushed around a loudmouth making jest of a recently murdered officer.
I can understand US cops' "slam first, ask questions later" approach, when the most innocent exchange, traffic stop or whatever can result in them losing their life. It has happened in the UK (I lost a friend, stabbed through the heart whilst searching a factory yard for someone stealing lead) but nothing like as frequently.
I think the British public wants rosy-cheeked bobbies and everyone's-favourite-uncle style policing until something affects them - if someone takes their parking space then it's bring back hanging and arm the police!
but nothing like as frequently.
I think the British public wants rosy-cheeked bobbies and everyone's-favourite-uncle style policing until something affects them - if someone takes their parking space then it's bring back hanging and arm the police!