1 00:00:12,054 --> 00:00:13,823 -♪ Bad boys, bad boys ♪ 2 00:00:13,847 --> 00:00:15,366 ♪ Whatcha gonna do? ♪ 3 00:00:15,390 --> 00:00:17,202 ♪ Whatcha gonna do when they come for you? ♪ 4 00:00:17,226 --> 00:00:20,747 -In the early '90s, 5 00:00:20,771 --> 00:00:25,043 Americans are introduced to an arresting new kind of TV. 6 00:00:25,067 --> 00:00:27,462 -I was thinking, "Man, I don't want to work on this show 7 00:00:27,486 --> 00:00:29,589 because you could get shot doing this thing." 8 00:00:29,613 --> 00:00:31,382 - Get on the ground. - Get on the ground. 9 00:00:31,406 --> 00:00:34,552 {\an8}-It showed the police as they really are... 10 00:00:34,576 --> 00:00:35,970 {\an8}-Can somebody take her? 11 00:00:35,994 --> 00:00:38,014 {\an8}-...to a public that didn't know. 12 00:00:38,038 --> 00:00:41,476 {\an8}-It was amidst this War on Drugs. 13 00:00:41,500 --> 00:00:45,271 People wanted to see these cops as these superhero individuals. 14 00:00:45,295 --> 00:00:46,522 -Put your hands up where I can see them. 15 00:00:46,546 --> 00:00:48,149 Stay in the car. 16 00:00:48,173 --> 00:00:49,400 -I think '90s was the best decade for police work. 17 00:00:49,424 --> 00:00:50,818 -Powder cocaine. 18 00:00:50,842 --> 00:00:52,946 -The public genuinely loved police officers. 19 00:00:52,970 --> 00:00:54,948 - What am I arrested for? - Get on your stomach. 20 00:00:54,972 --> 00:00:57,200 -It was white police officers 21 00:00:57,224 --> 00:00:59,702 taking advantage of the working class poor. 22 00:00:59,726 --> 00:01:02,956 -The TV show "Cops" was part of this selling 23 00:01:02,980 --> 00:01:07,627 of an unjust justice system to the American public. 24 00:01:07,651 --> 00:01:15,651 {\an8}♪♪ 25 00:01:16,618 --> 00:01:17,971 {\an8}[ Dial-up modems screeching ] 26 00:01:17,995 --> 00:01:25,995 {\an8}♪♪ 27 00:01:31,675 --> 00:01:35,905 {\an8}-From its very first episode, "Cops" burst onto TV screens 28 00:01:35,929 --> 00:01:38,074 {\an8}with its brash, in-your-face realism. 29 00:01:38,098 --> 00:01:39,951 {\an8}-Take her. Come here. Take her. 30 00:01:39,975 --> 00:01:43,204 -And in the '90s, audiences couldn't get enough. 31 00:01:43,228 --> 00:01:44,872 -It was a mind-blower. 32 00:01:44,896 --> 00:01:47,000 In my town, it was what everybody was talking about. 33 00:01:47,024 --> 00:01:48,459 -Back room is clear. 34 00:01:48,483 --> 00:01:50,503 Alright, go. Check your rounds real quick. 35 00:01:50,527 --> 00:01:52,046 Double-check them. 36 00:01:52,070 --> 00:01:53,715 -What caught people's attention was you can go to 37 00:01:53,739 --> 00:01:55,133 your 9-to-5 job, 38 00:01:55,157 --> 00:01:56,509 come home at night, and have dinner, 39 00:01:56,533 --> 00:01:58,386 sit down in front of the TV, 40 00:01:58,410 --> 00:02:01,055 and basically be put in the passenger seat of a... 41 00:02:01,079 --> 00:02:03,683 Of a police car. 42 00:02:03,707 --> 00:02:06,436 -With its raw, fly-on-the-wall style, 43 00:02:06,460 --> 00:02:09,188 "Cops" was an edge-of-your-seat adrenaline rush. 44 00:02:09,212 --> 00:02:10,773 -You are under arrest. 45 00:02:10,797 --> 00:02:12,525 You figured that out all by yourself, didn't you? 46 00:02:12,549 --> 00:02:14,527 -They were in that car. They were in that foot chase. 47 00:02:14,551 --> 00:02:16,195 They were in that fight. 48 00:02:16,219 --> 00:02:18,323 And they were there handcuffing that guy with you. 49 00:02:18,347 --> 00:02:20,658 [ Indistinct talking ] 50 00:02:20,682 --> 00:02:23,870 -The show was unlike anything television audiences 51 00:02:23,894 --> 00:02:25,705 had ever seen. 52 00:02:25,729 --> 00:02:28,499 -I was seeing on primetime TV the same things I was shooting 53 00:02:28,523 --> 00:02:30,293 with my camera in a news setting. 54 00:02:30,317 --> 00:02:32,253 -Sheriff's department. Search warrant. 55 00:02:32,277 --> 00:02:33,880 -I mean, this is how it truly is. 56 00:02:33,904 --> 00:02:37,091 - Sheriff's department. - Police. Get down. Get down. 57 00:02:37,115 --> 00:02:40,303 -Just really, really good television. 58 00:02:40,327 --> 00:02:41,387 [ Indistinct talking ] 59 00:02:41,411 --> 00:02:43,598 -Real life, raw, uncut. 60 00:02:43,622 --> 00:02:46,142 This is brand new to television. 61 00:02:46,166 --> 00:02:49,604 -But what ends up happening with a show like "Cops" is 62 00:02:49,628 --> 00:02:52,607 they can pick and choose what they portray 63 00:02:52,631 --> 00:02:55,068 to give us this vision of policing 64 00:02:55,092 --> 00:02:58,654 that is not only inaccurate, but is deeply dangerous. 65 00:02:58,678 --> 00:03:01,532 -Your boyfriend is letting you take the fall for the drug? 66 00:03:01,556 --> 00:03:04,118 -The success of this new kind of television 67 00:03:04,142 --> 00:03:06,311 relied on a very old obsession. 68 00:03:10,691 --> 00:03:13,920 {\an8}-America has always had a fascination with crime 69 00:03:13,944 --> 00:03:15,922 {\an8}and cop shows. 70 00:03:15,946 --> 00:03:17,423 My name's Adrien Sebro. 71 00:03:17,447 --> 00:03:18,674 I'm a professor of Media Studies 72 00:03:18,698 --> 00:03:20,635 at University of Texas at Austin. 73 00:03:20,659 --> 00:03:25,139 And I teach History of Media and Television and Film. 74 00:03:25,163 --> 00:03:27,934 Shows like, you know, "Dragnet," "Kojak," 75 00:03:27,958 --> 00:03:29,936 "Columbo," "Law & Order." 76 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:32,772 There's always been this love for, you know, crime, 77 00:03:32,796 --> 00:03:34,691 because we always wonder, like, whodunit. 78 00:03:34,715 --> 00:03:38,653 {\an8}♪♪ 79 00:03:38,677 --> 00:03:41,698 -Throughout the '80s, shows with actors playing cops 80 00:03:41,722 --> 00:03:45,743 were some of the most popular on television. 81 00:03:45,767 --> 00:03:48,663 -But there was a gap between, you know, 82 00:03:48,687 --> 00:03:51,666 these very scripted kind of TV show 83 00:03:51,690 --> 00:03:55,378 and showing what cops really do. 84 00:03:55,402 --> 00:03:58,840 -That vice that Tubbs and Crockett were fighting in Miami, 85 00:03:58,864 --> 00:04:02,093 it looked nothing like the new reality police were facing. 86 00:04:02,117 --> 00:04:04,554 -Miami Vice. 87 00:04:04,578 --> 00:04:06,139 -New York. 88 00:04:06,163 --> 00:04:08,641 -It was amidst this late '80s, 89 00:04:08,665 --> 00:04:11,227 early '90s era of this War on Drugs. 90 00:04:11,251 --> 00:04:14,355 -Narcotics violations, robberies, and sexual assaults 91 00:04:14,379 --> 00:04:17,024 were up 10.5%. 92 00:04:17,048 --> 00:04:19,402 -Crack cocaine use leads President Reagan 93 00:04:19,426 --> 00:04:23,531 to double down on the so-called "War on Drugs." 94 00:04:23,555 --> 00:04:25,867 -Drugs are menacing our society. 95 00:04:25,891 --> 00:04:27,326 They're threatening our values 96 00:04:27,350 --> 00:04:29,454 and undercutting our institutions. 97 00:04:29,478 --> 00:04:31,664 They're killing our children. 98 00:04:31,688 --> 00:04:37,086 -So, why don't you join us in this great new national crusade? 99 00:04:37,110 --> 00:04:40,131 -And as drug-fueled, violent crime rises, 100 00:04:40,155 --> 00:04:45,011 TV shows glamorizing police work start to lose their luster. 101 00:04:45,035 --> 00:04:48,264 -So, really, "Cops" came at the perfect time. 102 00:04:48,288 --> 00:04:50,808 It was this idea from an individual named John Langley. 103 00:04:50,832 --> 00:04:54,937 He had a documentary called "Cocaine Blues." 104 00:04:54,961 --> 00:04:58,608 -Malcolm Barbour and John Langley got together, 105 00:04:58,632 --> 00:05:01,152 and made this film documentary. 106 00:05:01,176 --> 00:05:05,281 {\an8}♪♪ 107 00:05:05,305 --> 00:05:07,533 {\an8}And it was real raw. 108 00:05:07,557 --> 00:05:09,118 {\an8}-In the past, you might see somebody 109 00:05:09,142 --> 00:05:11,746 {\an8}with... at a party, with a drink in their hand. 110 00:05:11,770 --> 00:05:13,998 And now, in feature films, 111 00:05:14,022 --> 00:05:16,459 you see people with coke spoons in their nose. 112 00:05:16,483 --> 00:05:19,295 -The two young producers of "Cocaine Blues" 113 00:05:19,319 --> 00:05:22,632 soon land a job bringing its realism to television. 114 00:05:22,656 --> 00:05:24,133 -Why cocaine? 115 00:05:24,157 --> 00:05:26,469 {\an8}-When I first really got involved with them, 116 00:05:26,493 --> 00:05:29,388 {\an8}they were doing live broadcasting. 117 00:05:29,412 --> 00:05:31,182 I'm Hank Barr. 118 00:05:31,206 --> 00:05:35,686 And I spent the decade of the '90s working on "Cops." 119 00:05:35,710 --> 00:05:37,563 -Before working on "Cops"... 120 00:05:37,587 --> 00:05:41,734 -"American Vice: The Real Story of the Doping of Our Nation." 121 00:05:41,758 --> 00:05:44,195 - Barr teams up with Langley on a gritty, 122 00:05:44,219 --> 00:05:48,282 unscripted television special starring Geraldo Rivera. 123 00:05:48,306 --> 00:05:50,868 -Sometime during the course of this live program, 124 00:05:50,892 --> 00:05:55,206 you'll be a witness as a pusher goes down for the count. 125 00:05:55,230 --> 00:05:58,417 After watching dozens of these raids from very close up... 126 00:05:58,441 --> 00:06:00,795 -And it was a two hour live show 127 00:06:00,819 --> 00:06:05,132 with inserts of taped drug raids. 128 00:06:05,156 --> 00:06:08,761 -The idea is to hit swiftly, and with overwhelming force. 129 00:06:08,785 --> 00:06:11,597 Surprise and shock are the best protection, 130 00:06:11,621 --> 00:06:13,432 not only for the officer... 131 00:06:13,456 --> 00:06:14,767 -I was thinking that, "Man, 132 00:06:14,791 --> 00:06:16,269 I don't want to work on this show 133 00:06:16,293 --> 00:06:18,813 because you could get shot doing this thing." 134 00:06:18,837 --> 00:06:21,524 Because we didn't have any bulletproof vest. 135 00:06:21,548 --> 00:06:23,568 And I could feel this person pushing me 136 00:06:23,592 --> 00:06:26,237 into this place that we had fogged. 137 00:06:26,261 --> 00:06:28,406 Couldn't see anything. 138 00:06:28,430 --> 00:06:30,116 And we all could have been shot there. 139 00:06:30,140 --> 00:06:31,576 But I looked over my shoulder, 140 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:36,831 and it's Geraldo pushing me in the door. 141 00:06:36,855 --> 00:06:39,709 So, the excitement was definitely there. 142 00:06:39,733 --> 00:06:41,043 Oh, my gosh. 143 00:06:41,067 --> 00:06:42,920 [ Indistinct talking ] 144 00:06:42,944 --> 00:06:44,630 -All right. The deal went down. 145 00:06:44,654 --> 00:06:46,382 It's all on the hidden camera... 146 00:06:46,406 --> 00:06:48,718 -While working on the special, John Langley's crew 147 00:06:48,742 --> 00:06:51,762 stumbles on something that will change television. 148 00:06:51,786 --> 00:06:55,725 -Halfway through, Geraldo had to leave, 149 00:06:55,749 --> 00:07:00,146 and so, I threw a mic onto the key man 150 00:07:00,170 --> 00:07:04,191 that would actually key the door of where we were gonna raid. 151 00:07:04,215 --> 00:07:05,943 And I would say, you know, 152 00:07:05,967 --> 00:07:07,820 "We just need to have you talk us through." 153 00:07:07,844 --> 00:07:09,864 -Somebody's got to put the cuffs on this guy. 154 00:07:09,888 --> 00:07:13,951 -So, for the next few hours, we filmed all these drug raids 155 00:07:13,975 --> 00:07:16,621 with just the officers narrating. 156 00:07:16,645 --> 00:07:19,123 -Fully loaded Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum. 157 00:07:19,147 --> 00:07:22,251 Oh, excuse me. .44 special. 158 00:07:22,275 --> 00:07:23,544 Would have ruined our day. 159 00:07:23,568 --> 00:07:25,671 -There's no narrators. There's no host. 160 00:07:25,695 --> 00:07:27,590 -These are Teflon-coated bullets. 161 00:07:27,614 --> 00:07:31,177 -You're simply a crew following along with a police department. 162 00:07:31,201 --> 00:07:34,430 And that's how "Cops" was born. 163 00:07:34,454 --> 00:07:37,224 -John had the concept of "Cops." 164 00:07:37,248 --> 00:07:39,810 {\an8}He tried to sell it to the networks. 165 00:07:39,834 --> 00:07:42,229 {\an8}I'm Randy Sutton, and I was a cop 166 00:07:42,253 --> 00:07:45,066 for a lot of years, including in the '90s. 167 00:07:45,090 --> 00:07:47,318 They said it couldn't be done. 168 00:07:47,342 --> 00:07:48,944 "Never work." 169 00:07:48,968 --> 00:07:51,322 And they laughed him out of their office. 170 00:07:51,346 --> 00:07:54,867 -Langley shops it around to what are then the only networks... 171 00:07:54,891 --> 00:07:58,371 ABC, CBS, and NBC. 172 00:07:58,395 --> 00:08:00,456 But they all turn him down. 173 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:05,002 Network TV isn't ready to buy the realism he's trying to sell. 174 00:08:05,026 --> 00:08:07,254 -It doesn't surprise me that a television executive 175 00:08:07,278 --> 00:08:09,215 {\an8}in that period of time 176 00:08:09,239 --> 00:08:13,511 {\an8}would just have to scratch your head, and go, "I don't get it." 177 00:08:13,535 --> 00:08:15,513 I'm Mark Whaley. 178 00:08:15,537 --> 00:08:16,847 And for many years in the '90s, 179 00:08:16,871 --> 00:08:18,474 I was a cameraman on the TV show "Cops." 180 00:08:18,498 --> 00:08:20,643 When you present to them a radical idea, 181 00:08:20,667 --> 00:08:23,187 like, "We're gonna put a cameraman and a sound man 182 00:08:23,211 --> 00:08:24,522 in a car with a policeman, 183 00:08:24,546 --> 00:08:26,315 and they're just gonna chase him around, 184 00:08:26,339 --> 00:08:28,109 and whatever he does, we're going to make that TV a show. 185 00:08:28,133 --> 00:08:29,485 You want that?" 186 00:08:29,509 --> 00:08:32,488 {\an8}♪♪ 187 00:08:32,512 --> 00:08:34,824 No narration, no track, no script. 188 00:08:34,848 --> 00:08:38,435 This preposterous idea, I'm sure, at that time. 189 00:08:41,688 --> 00:08:44,834 -And he was... He was struggling. 190 00:08:44,858 --> 00:08:47,610 I think, at one point, he was living out of his car. 191 00:08:51,239 --> 00:08:54,409 But Langley's luck is about to change. 192 00:08:57,704 --> 00:09:01,267 -In 1988, there was a Writers Guild strike. 193 00:09:01,291 --> 00:09:03,018 And the Writers Guild strike was huge 194 00:09:03,042 --> 00:09:04,937 because it halted many productions, 195 00:09:04,961 --> 00:09:07,273 especially on sitcoms, dramas, 196 00:09:07,297 --> 00:09:08,941 or other, obviously, written shows. 197 00:09:08,965 --> 00:09:11,110 -Striking screenwriters have said no 198 00:09:11,134 --> 00:09:14,029 to another contract offered by producers. 199 00:09:14,053 --> 00:09:17,283 -Suddenly, a show that doesn't use script writers 200 00:09:17,307 --> 00:09:20,494 looks attractive to TV executives. 201 00:09:20,518 --> 00:09:23,247 -On the show "Cops," we didn't have to have directors. 202 00:09:23,271 --> 00:09:25,332 We didn't have to have writers. 203 00:09:25,356 --> 00:09:27,752 It was unscripted. 204 00:09:27,776 --> 00:09:30,171 -And now, there's a new network in town. 205 00:09:30,195 --> 00:09:31,839 For the fledgling Fox, 206 00:09:31,863 --> 00:09:35,634 a risky concept with a low budget is irresistible. 207 00:09:35,658 --> 00:09:37,303 -♪ Yes, it'll have to change ♪ 208 00:09:37,327 --> 00:09:40,556 ♪ That can be arranged ♪ 209 00:09:40,580 --> 00:09:43,476 -♪ It's on Fox ♪ 210 00:09:43,500 --> 00:09:47,188 -Fox was hungry for content. 211 00:09:47,212 --> 00:09:50,274 -They were the young network, so they wanted to embrace 212 00:09:50,298 --> 00:09:54,737 that newness with gritty, urban, young TV and production 213 00:09:54,761 --> 00:09:56,739 that you can't see anywhere else. 214 00:09:56,763 --> 00:10:00,868 When "Cops" finally makes it to air on March 11th, 1989, 215 00:10:00,892 --> 00:10:03,287 it delivers can't-look-away realism 216 00:10:03,311 --> 00:10:05,623 rarely seen on the small screen. 217 00:10:05,647 --> 00:10:07,541 And she was like, "Oh, man, this is awes... 218 00:10:07,565 --> 00:10:08,793 This is gonna be good. Watch this. 219 00:10:08,817 --> 00:10:11,420 This is gonna be great." 220 00:10:11,444 --> 00:10:13,923 -You crawl on your hands and knees right now. 221 00:10:13,947 --> 00:10:16,091 -The format of "Cops" is simple... 222 00:10:16,115 --> 00:10:18,052 Each episode tracks three stories, 223 00:10:18,076 --> 00:10:21,847 with police kicking ass off the top, 224 00:10:21,871 --> 00:10:24,850 with what producers see as comic relief in the middle. 225 00:10:24,874 --> 00:10:26,310 -How much have you had to drink? Tell me that. 226 00:10:26,334 --> 00:10:28,604 -Not nearly enough. 227 00:10:28,628 --> 00:10:30,981 -Come on, Mary. Get up. 228 00:10:31,005 --> 00:10:32,733 -Come on, Mary. 229 00:10:32,757 --> 00:10:35,402 -And a finale that shows police serving and protecting. 230 00:10:35,426 --> 00:10:38,405 -How do you... How do you intend to get some food for them? 231 00:10:38,429 --> 00:10:41,283 -Well, other than they already had supper tonight, 232 00:10:41,307 --> 00:10:44,120 he'll be here first thing in the morning. 233 00:10:44,144 --> 00:10:46,872 -Who wants to carry something? 234 00:10:46,896 --> 00:10:48,332 -What it does is perpetuate 235 00:10:48,356 --> 00:10:50,668 this idea that they're our superheroes. 236 00:10:50,692 --> 00:10:52,503 So, this is a way in which "Cops" 237 00:10:52,527 --> 00:10:55,130 continues to construct their idea of criminal 238 00:10:55,154 --> 00:10:58,300 and their idea of those who are on the right side of the law. 239 00:10:58,324 --> 00:10:59,969 -Because we want to make sure that the kids... 240 00:10:59,993 --> 00:11:01,887 - I want to be a police. - You want to be a policeman? 241 00:11:01,911 --> 00:11:04,265 - Yes. - Good. 242 00:11:04,289 --> 00:11:07,143 {\an8}♪♪ 243 00:11:07,167 --> 00:11:13,440 -What "Cops" ended up doing is creating their own audience. 244 00:11:13,464 --> 00:11:15,109 We were on Saturday nights, 245 00:11:15,133 --> 00:11:18,279 which is actually the worst night of television, 246 00:11:18,303 --> 00:11:21,490 and yet, our ratings were going through the ceiling. 247 00:11:21,514 --> 00:11:25,536 Our Q rating was above that of "The Tonight Show." 248 00:11:25,560 --> 00:11:28,539 It was a cult show. 249 00:11:28,563 --> 00:11:31,500 -I think it was great because the video cameras 250 00:11:31,524 --> 00:11:33,794 {\an8}really weren't out in patrol cars 251 00:11:33,818 --> 00:11:36,613 {\an8}or on officers' bodies back then, like body cameras. 252 00:11:39,782 --> 00:11:42,428 So, to have those cameras running live 253 00:11:42,452 --> 00:11:44,096 the whole entire time, 254 00:11:44,120 --> 00:11:47,808 I mean, they were getting exactly what was happening. 255 00:11:47,832 --> 00:11:50,978 We just did what we normally would do on a nightly basis. 256 00:11:51,002 --> 00:11:52,855 -We don't know where his clothes are. 257 00:11:52,879 --> 00:11:55,608 The guy that owns his property, this barber shop, 258 00:11:55,632 --> 00:11:56,942 lives upstairs. 259 00:11:56,966 --> 00:11:58,569 He says he doesn't know him. 260 00:11:58,593 --> 00:12:01,906 -Viewers were getting the live version of police work. 261 00:12:01,930 --> 00:12:04,617 -I don't think your dad wants to see you come to Heaven this way. 262 00:12:04,641 --> 00:12:07,536 -Charles, I love you! 263 00:12:07,560 --> 00:12:09,538 -I think what John Langley wanted to accomplish 264 00:12:09,562 --> 00:12:11,248 with the show "Cops" 265 00:12:11,272 --> 00:12:19,089 was to show the true nature of what policing is. 266 00:12:19,113 --> 00:12:22,676 -But it turns out, John Langley didn't control which aspects 267 00:12:22,700 --> 00:12:25,387 {\an8}of policing the audience got to see. 268 00:12:25,411 --> 00:12:27,097 {\an8}The cops did. 269 00:12:27,121 --> 00:12:30,351 {\an8}-These law enforcement agencies had editorial control. 270 00:12:30,375 --> 00:12:35,397 -The whole ecosystem of policing is getting this sort of washed 271 00:12:35,421 --> 00:12:37,900 sort of look, this fairytale version. 272 00:12:37,924 --> 00:12:38,901 [ Indistinct talking ] 273 00:12:38,925 --> 00:12:40,736 -But as the '90s roll on, 274 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:42,988 it's painfully clear that, for many, 275 00:12:43,012 --> 00:12:45,974 it's a fairytale without a happily ever after. 276 00:12:51,437 --> 00:12:55,960 {\an8}♪♪ 277 00:12:55,984 --> 00:12:59,153 {\an8}-In the early '90s, "Cops" goes international... 278 00:13:02,240 --> 00:13:06,095 {\an8}...with the show's theme song becoming a worldwide hit. 279 00:13:06,119 --> 00:13:07,763 {\an8}-♪ Bad boys ♪ 280 00:13:07,787 --> 00:13:09,556 {\an8}-It's hard for me to imagine a better piece of music 281 00:13:09,580 --> 00:13:13,894 {\an8}to use to help brand the show, and what it's about. 282 00:13:13,918 --> 00:13:15,938 {\an8}-But this song in and of itself is a cultural phenomenon. 283 00:13:15,962 --> 00:13:18,565 {\an8}We see the film "Bad Boys," 284 00:13:18,589 --> 00:13:21,568 {\an8}this three-part trilogy is themed off the song. 285 00:13:21,592 --> 00:13:22,903 They characters sing the song. 286 00:13:22,927 --> 00:13:24,863 -♪ Bad boys, bad boys ♪ 287 00:13:24,887 --> 00:13:26,281 -♪ Whatcha gonna do? ♪ 288 00:13:26,305 --> 00:13:28,242 -The chart-topping, Grammy-winning tune 289 00:13:28,266 --> 00:13:30,786 is burned into the popular consciousness. 290 00:13:30,810 --> 00:13:32,871 -Even today, we think about that show 291 00:13:32,895 --> 00:13:34,290 when you're thinking about that song. 292 00:13:34,314 --> 00:13:36,625 -♪ Nobody not give me no break ♪ 293 00:13:36,649 --> 00:13:38,627 ♪ Police not give me no break ♪ 294 00:13:38,651 --> 00:13:41,630 -But the song also hints at the manipulation tactics 295 00:13:41,654 --> 00:13:44,633 of the show it introduces. 296 00:13:44,657 --> 00:13:47,678 -Reggae music, in all its anti-Establishment ethics 297 00:13:47,702 --> 00:13:50,681 at its core, is now promoting a show 298 00:13:50,705 --> 00:13:53,308 about one of the longest industries 299 00:13:53,332 --> 00:13:55,686 that was against people of color, 300 00:13:55,710 --> 00:13:57,646 against working-class people, 301 00:13:57,670 --> 00:13:59,857 {\an8}and is about keeping people in line. 302 00:13:59,881 --> 00:14:03,652 {\an8}-The song also helps "Cops" become a pop culture phenomenon. 303 00:14:03,676 --> 00:14:05,487 {\an8}-We got a message that there's a witch out here, 304 00:14:05,511 --> 00:14:06,739 {\an8}so we're gonna check it out. 305 00:14:06,763 --> 00:14:07,990 {\an8}- You got a kid? - Yes, sir. 306 00:14:08,014 --> 00:14:09,283 {\an8}-So, what's gonna happen to the kid? 307 00:14:09,307 --> 00:14:10,659 {\an8}You get burned at the stake, right? 308 00:14:10,683 --> 00:14:12,453 {\an8}Right? Who takes care of the kid, huh? 309 00:14:12,477 --> 00:14:14,580 -I swear, sir, I am not... I am not a witch. 310 00:14:14,604 --> 00:14:16,915 - "Cops" in Springfield. 311 00:14:16,939 --> 00:14:18,542 {\an8}-♪ Bad cops, bad cops ♪ 312 00:14:18,566 --> 00:14:19,918 {\an8}-[ Yells ] 313 00:14:19,942 --> 00:14:22,212 {\an8}-♪ Bad cops, bad cops ♪ 314 00:14:22,236 --> 00:14:24,923 {\an8}-♪ Springfield cops are on the case ♪ 315 00:14:24,947 --> 00:14:28,010 ♪ But what do you expect for the money we make? ♪ 316 00:14:28,034 --> 00:14:30,387 -But "Cops" ' winning formula couldn't work 317 00:14:30,411 --> 00:14:32,097 without the active participation 318 00:14:32,121 --> 00:14:35,434 of the people with the most to lose. 319 00:14:35,458 --> 00:14:38,312 -Every person whose face you saw on the show, 320 00:14:38,336 --> 00:14:39,813 that person signed a release. 321 00:14:39,837 --> 00:14:43,609 [ Woman speaking indistinctly ] 322 00:14:43,633 --> 00:14:45,486 -And I just found it shocking 323 00:14:45,510 --> 00:14:47,071 that they actually signed the waivers, 324 00:14:47,095 --> 00:14:48,906 like, "Hey, I'm going to be on 'Cops.' 325 00:14:48,930 --> 00:14:50,491 This is great." 326 00:14:50,515 --> 00:14:52,100 Have you seen what you've done? 327 00:14:54,310 --> 00:14:57,039 {\an8}My name is Keith Burns, and, in the '90s, 328 00:14:57,063 --> 00:15:00,209 {\an8}I was a cop on "Cops." 329 00:15:00,233 --> 00:15:01,585 So, after the dust settled, 330 00:15:01,609 --> 00:15:03,379 then the people that were arrested 331 00:15:03,403 --> 00:15:04,838 were in the back of the car, 332 00:15:04,862 --> 00:15:06,340 and the "Cops" crew would then approach them, 333 00:15:06,364 --> 00:15:08,592 and identify themselves. 334 00:15:08,616 --> 00:15:10,385 -It was the cameraman's responsibility 335 00:15:10,409 --> 00:15:12,679 to release the people involved. 336 00:15:12,703 --> 00:15:14,348 I'd barely get the word 337 00:15:14,372 --> 00:15:16,058 "Cameraman for the TV show 'C... '" 338 00:15:16,082 --> 00:15:17,851 and they're like, "'Cops.' I was hoping you'd say that. 339 00:15:17,875 --> 00:15:19,603 Give me that. You got a pen? Give me the pen. 340 00:15:19,627 --> 00:15:21,563 Man, I can't wait to tell my mama." 341 00:15:21,587 --> 00:15:24,566 -Everybody just dumped all the empties into your car? 342 00:15:24,590 --> 00:15:26,485 -Obviously, an intoxicated person 343 00:15:26,509 --> 00:15:29,029 can't release themselves in that state or condition, 344 00:15:29,053 --> 00:15:30,781 so we'd have to get their phone number, 345 00:15:30,805 --> 00:15:34,201 and we'd follow up with them when they were less intoxicated. 346 00:15:34,225 --> 00:15:35,577 -Touch the tip of your nose. 347 00:15:35,601 --> 00:15:36,912 -You know, we'd ask nice. 348 00:15:36,936 --> 00:15:38,372 Now, and I'll tell you this... 349 00:15:38,396 --> 00:15:39,915 I got at least a couple of releases 350 00:15:39,939 --> 00:15:42,000 with a kind word and a cold can of Coca-Cola. 351 00:15:42,024 --> 00:15:43,836 [ Indistinct talking ] 352 00:15:43,860 --> 00:15:46,296 You would be surprised how a little bit of good salesmanship 353 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:47,822 can get a good release. 354 00:15:49,448 --> 00:15:50,884 {\an8}-I can tell you right now 355 00:15:50,908 --> 00:15:52,803 {\an8}the reason that people signed the release. 356 00:15:52,827 --> 00:15:56,098 {\an8}It's because, for 5 minutes of fame, they'll do anything. 357 00:15:56,122 --> 00:15:58,183 -There, in that open apartment window. 358 00:15:58,207 --> 00:16:00,477 -One of the funniest incidents I was involved in... 359 00:16:00,501 --> 00:16:02,563 -Stands in his window with his curtains up. 360 00:16:02,587 --> 00:16:05,107 -This woman, every time she would do the dishes, 361 00:16:05,131 --> 00:16:10,529 her neighbor would climb up onto his kitchen sink, and... 362 00:16:10,553 --> 00:16:13,240 -You know [bleep] 363 00:16:13,264 --> 00:16:14,658 - What? - And it's embarrassing. 364 00:16:14,682 --> 00:16:16,326 He plays with himself. 365 00:16:16,350 --> 00:16:17,953 -So, I get there. 366 00:16:17,977 --> 00:16:19,788 Now, there's a film crew with me. 367 00:16:19,812 --> 00:16:21,790 Do you mind if I come in and talk to you? 368 00:16:21,814 --> 00:16:23,167 Thank you. 369 00:16:23,191 --> 00:16:25,377 And he was wearing nothing but a towel. 370 00:16:25,401 --> 00:16:27,713 And, in front of 60 million people, 371 00:16:27,737 --> 00:16:30,716 he confessed to exactly what he did. 372 00:16:30,740 --> 00:16:32,134 -Well, let's put it this way... 373 00:16:32,158 --> 00:16:34,386 I knew what I was doing was wrong. 374 00:16:34,410 --> 00:16:38,307 I just find her sexually attractive, I guess. 375 00:16:38,331 --> 00:16:40,309 -It was... So, it's bizarre. 376 00:16:40,333 --> 00:16:42,561 -I mean, is it necessary for me to be arrested? 377 00:16:42,585 --> 00:16:46,940 -Well, see, we consider it illegal to masturbate 378 00:16:46,964 --> 00:16:49,693 in front of women in this state. 379 00:16:49,717 --> 00:16:51,236 -I guess so. 380 00:16:51,260 --> 00:16:53,655 -Now, remember, this was before social media. 381 00:16:53,679 --> 00:16:55,741 This was giving them the opportunity, 382 00:16:55,765 --> 00:16:57,618 "Geez, I'm gonna be on national television." 383 00:16:57,642 --> 00:16:59,411 -Am I gonna be on "Cops" one day? 384 00:16:59,435 --> 00:17:01,997 -One day, you're gonna be on "Cops." 385 00:17:02,021 --> 00:17:04,541 -But was this just people looking for their chance 386 00:17:04,565 --> 00:17:06,960 to get on television, no matter the cost? 387 00:17:06,984 --> 00:17:08,504 Or was there more to it? 388 00:17:08,528 --> 00:17:10,756 -You see those clips that they want you to see. 389 00:17:10,780 --> 00:17:12,966 You don't see the reality of the situation. 390 00:17:12,990 --> 00:17:15,427 And you don't see the idea of, like, this larger structure 391 00:17:15,451 --> 00:17:17,221 of law enforcement. 392 00:17:17,245 --> 00:17:18,931 -Put your hands on the car! 393 00:17:18,955 --> 00:17:21,642 If you move, I'll break your head open. 394 00:17:21,666 --> 00:17:23,518 -It didn't happen every time. 395 00:17:23,542 --> 00:17:26,897 There were plenty of people who had enough sense to say "no." 396 00:17:26,921 --> 00:17:28,607 - Fuck you and them cameras. - All right. 397 00:17:28,631 --> 00:17:30,108 -Cracker-ass bastards. 398 00:17:30,132 --> 00:17:31,860 -If the person refused to sign... 399 00:17:31,884 --> 00:17:33,278 -You're the one running around with... 400 00:17:33,302 --> 00:17:34,696 - they would just blur their face out. 401 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:36,198 So, if you ever see the "Cops" episodes 402 00:17:36,222 --> 00:17:37,199 where their faces are blurred out, 403 00:17:37,223 --> 00:17:39,409 they refused to sign the waiver. 404 00:17:39,433 --> 00:17:44,498 -The show's groundbreaking style also wins over the TV industry. 405 00:17:44,522 --> 00:17:45,958 In the early '90s, 406 00:17:45,982 --> 00:17:48,460 "Cops" is nominated four times for an Emmy, 407 00:17:48,484 --> 00:17:51,046 and wins Best Reality Based Program 408 00:17:51,070 --> 00:17:55,425 at the 1993 American Television Awards. 409 00:17:55,449 --> 00:17:58,345 -Over the years, I've had a lot of people ask me, you know, 410 00:17:58,369 --> 00:17:59,805 "It wasn't all really real, was it? 411 00:17:59,829 --> 00:18:02,975 I mean, some of that was staged, right?" 412 00:18:02,999 --> 00:18:04,559 No. 413 00:18:04,583 --> 00:18:06,144 Everything that you saw on the "Cops" TV show 414 00:18:06,168 --> 00:18:07,729 was true reality television. 415 00:18:07,753 --> 00:18:08,981 There was no staging. 416 00:18:09,005 --> 00:18:10,983 There was no coaching, or acting. 417 00:18:11,007 --> 00:18:12,818 -We were warned by the FCC, 418 00:18:12,842 --> 00:18:15,779 {\an8}"Don't say this is real if it's not. 419 00:18:15,803 --> 00:18:19,533 {\an8}You could get into a lot of trouble that way." 420 00:18:19,557 --> 00:18:21,326 -If it happened in front of my lens... 421 00:18:21,350 --> 00:18:22,953 -Drop the bag. 422 00:18:22,977 --> 00:18:25,372 - you saw it on TV. 423 00:18:25,396 --> 00:18:28,542 -Well, you saw it if the local police department 424 00:18:28,566 --> 00:18:29,918 gave their okay. 425 00:18:29,942 --> 00:18:31,586 To help make sure they did, 426 00:18:31,610 --> 00:18:34,172 the show's producers, Barbour and Langley, 427 00:18:34,196 --> 00:18:35,966 were willing to filter reality 428 00:18:35,990 --> 00:18:38,468 to help their subjects look their best. 429 00:18:38,492 --> 00:18:41,054 -That's one of the key things I don't think 430 00:18:41,078 --> 00:18:42,889 the public ever understood about the show, 431 00:18:42,913 --> 00:18:46,560 was it was truly a partnership between the production company 432 00:18:46,584 --> 00:18:48,353 and these law enforcement agencies. 433 00:18:48,377 --> 00:18:49,604 -Police department! 434 00:18:49,628 --> 00:18:51,189 The house is on fire! Come out! 435 00:18:51,213 --> 00:18:53,817 -The agencies had editorial control. 436 00:18:53,841 --> 00:18:55,986 -If they see something that they think would be 437 00:18:56,010 --> 00:18:57,696 an embarrassment to the agency, 438 00:18:57,720 --> 00:19:00,324 they can always say, "You know what, we don't want that. 439 00:19:00,348 --> 00:19:01,783 Don't put that on there." 440 00:19:01,807 --> 00:19:04,328 -He kicked the door in on the wrong house. 441 00:19:04,352 --> 00:19:06,121 -How do we write this one up? 442 00:19:06,145 --> 00:19:08,707 -You're the supervisor. You tell me. 443 00:19:08,731 --> 00:19:11,793 -And Barbour-Langley, of course, has to go along with that 444 00:19:11,817 --> 00:19:17,049 in order to have the access to these police agencies. 445 00:19:17,073 --> 00:19:18,592 -I mean, we were pro-police. 446 00:19:18,616 --> 00:19:21,845 I mean, that's why we were called "Cops." 447 00:19:21,869 --> 00:19:24,556 Otherwise, they'd call us "Robbers." 448 00:19:24,580 --> 00:19:26,975 -And working alongside police all day 449 00:19:26,999 --> 00:19:29,853 can blur the line between crew and cop. 450 00:19:29,877 --> 00:19:35,150 -Once, we had cornered this hot car up in Ohio, 451 00:19:35,174 --> 00:19:40,989 and the kid did a leg bale into an apartment complex. 452 00:19:41,013 --> 00:19:43,241 When I saw Richie, the cameraman, 453 00:19:43,265 --> 00:19:47,829 and our officer go one way, I came back the other way. 454 00:19:47,853 --> 00:19:52,542 I was on some steps, and he was running right toward me. 455 00:19:52,566 --> 00:19:57,047 And I realized, "You're tired. You want to end this thing." 456 00:19:57,071 --> 00:20:00,926 So, as he ran by, I jumped off the steps, just like Batman. 457 00:20:00,950 --> 00:20:02,844 And I took him to the ground. 458 00:20:02,868 --> 00:20:07,039 And to my horror, I see Richie, with the camera, filming me. 459 00:20:10,126 --> 00:20:11,395 And I said, "Oh, no." 460 00:20:11,419 --> 00:20:13,814 So, I got off him, like, real quick, 461 00:20:13,838 --> 00:20:16,006 because I could have lost my job. 462 00:20:19,802 --> 00:20:21,822 But I didn't. They left it in there. 463 00:20:21,846 --> 00:20:24,032 But you have to really look for it, 464 00:20:24,056 --> 00:20:25,701 because it's so quick. 465 00:20:25,725 --> 00:20:27,119 And you say, "Wait a minute? Did that really happen? 466 00:20:27,143 --> 00:20:30,288 Who was that?" 467 00:20:30,312 --> 00:20:35,252 Actually, that's happened quite a few times. 468 00:20:35,276 --> 00:20:36,545 -Don't worry about your head, son. 469 00:20:36,569 --> 00:20:38,130 You're under arrest. 470 00:20:38,154 --> 00:20:40,674 -This version of reality seen on "Cops" turns Barbour 471 00:20:40,698 --> 00:20:44,845 and Langley's low-budget series into a lucrative global brand. 472 00:20:44,869 --> 00:20:47,973 -Now, here's your chance to own official "Cops" gear. 473 00:20:47,997 --> 00:20:49,307 "Cops" gear is available 474 00:20:49,331 --> 00:20:51,059 from your favorite retailers, Cop Shop. 475 00:20:51,083 --> 00:20:54,312 -This show is now making a ton of money. 476 00:20:54,336 --> 00:20:56,314 {\an8}-Or directly from Cops, The Store. 477 00:20:56,338 --> 00:20:59,234 {\an8}-What's essentially happening is that you get 478 00:20:59,258 --> 00:21:06,575 {\an8}this sort of glossy Hollywood advertisement for policing. 479 00:21:06,599 --> 00:21:08,452 -But while the "Cops" camera crews 480 00:21:08,476 --> 00:21:11,788 capture their law enforcement- approved version of policing, 481 00:21:11,812 --> 00:21:14,207 a much uglier glimpse of police at work 482 00:21:14,231 --> 00:21:19,695 is caught on a camera the cops don't control. 483 00:21:28,245 --> 00:21:31,391 {\an8}-Unlike a lot of other cops, Broward County Deputy Sheriff 484 00:21:31,415 --> 00:21:34,311 Linda Canada has done her job on national television. 485 00:21:34,335 --> 00:21:37,439 -Portraying patrol officers as heroes makes "Cops" 486 00:21:37,463 --> 00:21:39,024 a ratings hit in the early '90s. 487 00:21:39,048 --> 00:21:40,567 - and comfort a little girl who was frightened 488 00:21:40,591 --> 00:21:42,611 of her mother's boyfriend. 489 00:21:42,635 --> 00:21:44,279 -How about if I drive by and shine my light through the window 490 00:21:44,303 --> 00:21:46,990 so you know that I was here? I'll just come by... 491 00:21:47,014 --> 00:21:50,994 -Linda Canada may be the face of pro-cop propaganda, 492 00:21:51,018 --> 00:21:53,955 but not everyone is buying the feel-good story 493 00:21:53,979 --> 00:21:55,832 that "Cops" is selling. 494 00:21:55,856 --> 00:21:58,460 {\an8}-Absolutely, there were people who saw this show 495 00:21:58,484 --> 00:22:00,504 {\an8}as problematic, and challenging, 496 00:22:00,528 --> 00:22:03,632 {\an8}because it was part of the selling 497 00:22:03,656 --> 00:22:08,345 of an unjust justice system to the American public. 498 00:22:08,369 --> 00:22:09,888 I'm Rashad Robinson. 499 00:22:09,912 --> 00:22:11,807 I'm the president of Color of Change. 500 00:22:11,831 --> 00:22:14,017 -Yeah, you're looking sharp. 501 00:22:14,041 --> 00:22:17,145 -Doing my best. Doing my best. 502 00:22:17,169 --> 00:22:19,981 In the '90s, I was leading youth protests 503 00:22:20,005 --> 00:22:21,757 out in my community on Long Island. 504 00:22:27,012 --> 00:22:29,825 Black and brown communities have always been treated 505 00:22:29,849 --> 00:22:33,537 like enemy combatants from police officers, 506 00:22:33,561 --> 00:22:37,249 whether it was from the very first police departments, 507 00:22:37,273 --> 00:22:40,794 which were slave patrols, 508 00:22:40,818 --> 00:22:46,925 to the batons and the hoses that were sprayed upon our people 509 00:22:46,949 --> 00:22:49,302 when we were marching to be able to express 510 00:22:49,326 --> 00:22:54,057 our will for a better future through the vote, 511 00:22:54,081 --> 00:22:55,892 to all of the police officers 512 00:22:55,916 --> 00:22:58,770 that constantly get off for violence. 513 00:22:58,794 --> 00:23:00,772 Time and time again, 514 00:23:00,796 --> 00:23:04,401 police officers' lives have been put far above 515 00:23:04,425 --> 00:23:08,655 the lives of everyday people in ways that no other profession 516 00:23:08,679 --> 00:23:13,702 in our society gets treated. 517 00:23:13,726 --> 00:23:16,621 -But in the early '90s... 518 00:23:16,645 --> 00:23:17,998 -Wow. 519 00:23:18,022 --> 00:23:20,375 -Omnimovie uses full-sized VHS tapes. 520 00:23:20,399 --> 00:23:23,295 - advances in personal video cameras will open the door 521 00:23:23,319 --> 00:23:26,673 for citizens to expose hidden societal injustices. 522 00:23:26,697 --> 00:23:29,926 {\an8}-We saw a huge rise in people being able to film things 523 00:23:29,950 --> 00:23:32,971 {\an8}for themselves, and tell their own stories. 524 00:23:32,995 --> 00:23:35,473 -And one of the biggest stories of the decade 525 00:23:35,497 --> 00:23:37,934 is captured on this home recording. 526 00:23:37,958 --> 00:23:41,229 -The three police officers facing felony criminal charges 527 00:23:41,253 --> 00:23:44,524 were among a group of 15 who stopped a 25-year-old. 528 00:23:44,548 --> 00:23:46,359 -In this pre-Internet era, 529 00:23:46,383 --> 00:23:49,654 the footage of LAPD officers beating Rodney King 530 00:23:49,678 --> 00:23:53,408 becomes the TV news equivalent of a viral video sensation. 531 00:23:53,432 --> 00:23:55,076 -Now the story that might never have surfaced 532 00:23:55,100 --> 00:23:57,370 if someone hadn't picked up his home video camera. 533 00:23:57,394 --> 00:24:00,123 We've all seen the pictures of Los Angeles police officers 534 00:24:00,147 --> 00:24:01,124 beating a man... 535 00:24:01,148 --> 00:24:02,959 -We see this on screen, 536 00:24:02,983 --> 00:24:04,836 all across the news, everywhere. 537 00:24:04,860 --> 00:24:06,212 -Civil rights organizations say 538 00:24:06,236 --> 00:24:07,881 the Los Angeles Police Department 539 00:24:07,905 --> 00:24:10,008 has a history of brutality and misconduct. 540 00:24:10,032 --> 00:24:13,345 -Law enforcement agencies denounce the officers' actions 541 00:24:13,369 --> 00:24:16,181 as an anomaly and a stain on the profession. 542 00:24:16,205 --> 00:24:19,476 -Chief Gates today called the LAPD a "model department," 543 00:24:19,500 --> 00:24:21,311 and said he has no plans to resign. 544 00:24:21,335 --> 00:24:23,813 -We, the jury, in the above entitled action, 545 00:24:23,837 --> 00:24:27,400 find the defendant, Stacey C. Koon, not guilty. 546 00:24:27,424 --> 00:24:29,694 -On April 29, 1992, 547 00:24:29,718 --> 00:24:32,614 the four officers charged in Rodney King's beating 548 00:24:32,638 --> 00:24:34,139 are found not guilty. 549 00:24:37,226 --> 00:24:39,829 LA explodes in the aftermath. 550 00:24:39,853 --> 00:24:42,582 -Within an hour of the verdict, roving, angry gangs 551 00:24:42,606 --> 00:24:44,000 were taking to the mean streets 552 00:24:44,024 --> 00:24:46,503 of South Central Los Angeles. 553 00:24:46,527 --> 00:24:49,506 -As crowds build on a corner in downtown LA, 554 00:24:49,530 --> 00:24:52,550 police gather nearby, but refuse to engage. 555 00:24:52,574 --> 00:24:54,302 -Within minutes, unchecked by police, 556 00:24:54,326 --> 00:24:57,180 who were nowhere in sight, the mob began looting stores. 557 00:24:57,204 --> 00:24:58,807 -When they finally move in, 558 00:24:58,831 --> 00:25:00,975 it's too late to stop the rioting. 559 00:25:00,999 --> 00:25:04,896 -The police are powerless, left to form skirmish lines. 560 00:25:04,920 --> 00:25:07,691 -They don't represent the people no more. 561 00:25:07,715 --> 00:25:08,983 -Anything that the protesters 562 00:25:09,007 --> 00:25:10,235 could actually get their hands on. 563 00:25:10,259 --> 00:25:11,903 -Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley 564 00:25:11,927 --> 00:25:13,530 {\an8}urged citizens to show their outrage 565 00:25:13,554 --> 00:25:15,115 {\an8}in a constructive manner. 566 00:25:15,139 --> 00:25:17,617 -We don't want you to resort to violence. 567 00:25:17,641 --> 00:25:20,787 That would only destroy every positive thing 568 00:25:20,811 --> 00:25:22,497 that we have been doing. 569 00:25:22,521 --> 00:25:25,041 -The mayor didn't know it, but it was already too late. 570 00:25:25,065 --> 00:25:28,753 -37 people dead, more than 1,300 injured, 571 00:25:28,777 --> 00:25:30,880 more than 4,000 arrested. 572 00:25:30,904 --> 00:25:36,094 Damage estimate... $200 million and rising. 573 00:25:36,118 --> 00:25:39,806 A few hours ago, the man who had become the unwilling symbol 574 00:25:39,830 --> 00:25:41,224 of this outbreak of violence 575 00:25:41,248 --> 00:25:43,601 decided it was time to speak out. 576 00:25:43,625 --> 00:25:47,147 Rodney King appealed for peace. 577 00:25:47,171 --> 00:25:51,484 -I just want to say, you know, can we can we all get along? 578 00:25:51,508 --> 00:25:53,260 Can we... Can we get along? 579 00:25:56,096 --> 00:25:58,867 -The White House takes a hard line against the violence, 580 00:25:58,891 --> 00:26:02,871 but is indifferent to the police action that provoked it. 581 00:26:02,895 --> 00:26:05,331 -What we saw last night and the night before 582 00:26:05,355 --> 00:26:09,377 in Los Angeles is not about civil rights. 583 00:26:09,401 --> 00:26:14,215 It's been the brutality of a mob, pure and simple. 584 00:26:14,239 --> 00:26:17,677 -Out on the streets, the anger only intensifies. 585 00:26:17,701 --> 00:26:19,345 {\an8}♪♪ 586 00:26:19,369 --> 00:26:22,432 -Performer Ice-T is hot this summer. 587 00:26:22,456 --> 00:26:25,310 His album "Body Count" and the song "Cop Killer" 588 00:26:25,334 --> 00:26:27,896 are moving up the music charts with a bullet. 589 00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:30,982 But cops and others are angered by these lyrics. 590 00:26:31,006 --> 00:26:33,067 -♪ I'm 'bout to kill me something ♪ 591 00:26:33,091 --> 00:26:36,029 ♪ A pig stopped me for nothing ♪ 592 00:26:36,053 --> 00:26:37,405 {\an8}♪ Cop killer ♪ 593 00:26:37,429 --> 00:26:39,073 {\an8}♪ Better you than me ♪ 594 00:26:39,097 --> 00:26:40,533 They've still got to deal with the question, 595 00:26:40,557 --> 00:26:42,410 why did I write this record? 596 00:26:42,434 --> 00:26:44,370 Cops have beaten on my friends. 597 00:26:44,394 --> 00:26:46,664 They deal with us like we're savages. 598 00:26:46,688 --> 00:26:48,291 They call us "savages." 599 00:26:48,315 --> 00:26:50,210 They pull you out the car. They call you "..." 600 00:26:50,234 --> 00:26:51,669 You don't know. 601 00:26:51,693 --> 00:26:53,713 Unless you are in the car with me, you don't know. 602 00:26:53,737 --> 00:26:55,924 But Black people know. 603 00:26:55,948 --> 00:26:59,260 -And in major cities, voices begin calling for diversity, 604 00:26:59,284 --> 00:27:02,180 demanding police departments hire more men and women 605 00:27:02,204 --> 00:27:06,768 who actually know what it's like to be Black in America. 606 00:27:06,792 --> 00:27:09,395 Nowhere is the need for change more keenly felt 607 00:27:09,419 --> 00:27:12,232 than in Los Angeles. 608 00:27:12,256 --> 00:27:15,068 The new regime recognizes that the show "Cops," 609 00:27:15,092 --> 00:27:17,779 with its positive portrayal of police officers, 610 00:27:17,803 --> 00:27:19,239 could play an important role 611 00:27:19,263 --> 00:27:22,325 in changing the reputation of the LAPD. 612 00:27:22,349 --> 00:27:23,952 At first, the police chief said, 613 00:27:23,976 --> 00:27:25,370 "No. We don't want 'Cops' here." 614 00:27:25,394 --> 00:27:26,913 The very next police chief said, 615 00:27:26,937 --> 00:27:29,916 "Yes. Bring them here. We need to fix our PR." 616 00:27:29,940 --> 00:27:31,501 -Come here. 617 00:27:31,525 --> 00:27:35,088 Get on the ground. Get on the ground! 618 00:27:35,112 --> 00:27:37,006 -Well, it's not just the LAPD. 619 00:27:37,030 --> 00:27:40,760 It's other police departments that actually sought out "Cops" 620 00:27:40,784 --> 00:27:44,264 to help them build a new image. 621 00:27:44,288 --> 00:27:47,600 If that doesn't tell you everything you need to know. 622 00:27:47,624 --> 00:27:50,770 Instead of actually doing the deeper examination, 623 00:27:50,794 --> 00:27:53,523 instead of actually digging into accountability, 624 00:27:53,547 --> 00:27:57,861 the police departments lean into public relations. 625 00:27:57,885 --> 00:28:01,114 -And for the police officers, appearing on "Cops" 626 00:28:01,138 --> 00:28:04,117 is an opportunity that's too good to pass up. 627 00:28:04,141 --> 00:28:07,537 {\an8}-I absolutely believe that being on "Cops" is great PR for cops. 628 00:28:07,561 --> 00:28:09,080 {\an8}Absolutely. 629 00:28:09,104 --> 00:28:10,498 {\an8}That was one of the reasons I agreed to do it. 630 00:28:10,522 --> 00:28:12,316 - Get on the ground. - Get on the ground. 631 00:28:14,818 --> 00:28:17,964 {\an8}-The overwhelming majority of police officers 632 00:28:17,988 --> 00:28:20,300 {\an8}are out there to do the right thing the right way, 633 00:28:20,324 --> 00:28:22,176 help their community, make it a safer place. 634 00:28:22,200 --> 00:28:23,636 Sheriff's office. 635 00:28:23,660 --> 00:28:25,305 Put your hands up where I can see them. 636 00:28:25,329 --> 00:28:26,806 Stay in the car. Stay in the car. Put your hands up. 637 00:28:26,830 --> 00:28:28,433 We live there, too, 638 00:28:28,457 --> 00:28:30,935 so we'd like to make a difference in the community. 639 00:28:30,959 --> 00:28:32,604 Do you have anything in your pockets I should know about? 640 00:28:32,628 --> 00:28:34,772 Any needles? Anything that can hurt me? 641 00:28:34,796 --> 00:28:36,524 And do it the right way... Be a part of the community, 642 00:28:36,548 --> 00:28:38,985 and be accepted by the community for what we do. 643 00:28:39,009 --> 00:28:40,403 Powder cocaine. 644 00:28:40,427 --> 00:28:43,573 -You are presenting and representing 645 00:28:43,597 --> 00:28:47,744 the entire police profession when you are on that show. 646 00:28:47,768 --> 00:28:49,746 So, you're high and you're watching the kids. 647 00:28:49,770 --> 00:28:50,747 -I know. 648 00:28:50,771 --> 00:28:52,582 -That's important. 649 00:28:52,606 --> 00:28:54,334 As far as I'm concerned, I think you should go to jail. 650 00:28:54,358 --> 00:28:56,669 That's... That's an opportunity... 651 00:28:56,693 --> 00:28:59,672 An opportunity to touch the lives of others, 652 00:28:59,696 --> 00:29:02,216 and let them see what it's really like to be a cop. 653 00:29:02,240 --> 00:29:03,551 We don't want to ruin... 654 00:29:03,575 --> 00:29:04,761 We don't want to ruin your kids' lives. 655 00:29:04,785 --> 00:29:05,803 -I don't want to ruin them, either, 656 00:29:05,827 --> 00:29:07,472 'cause they're just kids. 657 00:29:07,496 --> 00:29:08,765 -I think you need more help than you going to jail. 658 00:29:08,789 --> 00:29:09,974 The problem is, I'm very concerned 659 00:29:09,998 --> 00:29:11,434 about those littler kids. 660 00:29:11,458 --> 00:29:13,144 -They call drugs a "victimless crime." 661 00:29:13,168 --> 00:29:15,688 -Yeah, I got three little victims in there. 662 00:29:15,712 --> 00:29:17,815 -Many people became cops because of "Cops." 663 00:29:17,839 --> 00:29:21,069 You know, this idea of seeing people 664 00:29:21,093 --> 00:29:23,154 make a difference... On screen, at least... 665 00:29:23,178 --> 00:29:24,405 And you're seeing a difference. 666 00:29:24,429 --> 00:29:26,074 You want to be a part of it. 667 00:29:26,098 --> 00:29:29,035 -But being a part of the team actually making the show, 668 00:29:29,059 --> 00:29:31,371 that was a mixed bag. 669 00:29:31,395 --> 00:29:34,123 -It was... It was a dangerous gig, for sure. 670 00:29:34,147 --> 00:29:37,126 No doubt about it. 671 00:29:37,150 --> 00:29:41,881 -And for Mark, that danger comes from a place he least expects. 672 00:29:41,905 --> 00:29:44,509 -I was accidentally shot by a policeman 673 00:29:44,533 --> 00:29:46,660 I was working with in Chesapeake, Virginia. 674 00:29:52,833 --> 00:29:53,935 - Turn around. - Hey! Hey, stop! 675 00:29:53,959 --> 00:29:55,436 Hey, stop! Stop! - In the '90s, 676 00:29:55,460 --> 00:29:58,380 being a cop on "Cops" can be risky business. 677 00:30:02,926 --> 00:30:05,863 But it can be just as dangerous behind the camera. 678 00:30:05,887 --> 00:30:08,324 -We had close calls all the time. 679 00:30:08,348 --> 00:30:11,119 Guns that were discovered after the fact. 680 00:30:11,143 --> 00:30:13,955 - Gun case in here? - Yeah. Underneath the bed. 681 00:30:13,979 --> 00:30:15,957 {\an8}-Man, I can't tell you how many crazy car chases 682 00:30:15,981 --> 00:30:17,709 {\an8}I've been in. 683 00:30:17,733 --> 00:30:19,669 {\an8}All of us who worked on the show frequently asked ourselves, 684 00:30:19,693 --> 00:30:20,962 "Which one of us is gonna be the first 685 00:30:20,986 --> 00:30:22,404 to be hurt in a car crash?" 686 00:30:22,779 --> 00:30:24,090 -Oh [bleep] 687 00:30:24,114 --> 00:30:25,991 [ Crashing ] 688 00:30:27,075 --> 00:30:30,722 [ Indistinct talking ] 689 00:30:30,746 --> 00:30:33,391 {\an8}-The interesting thing about Mark is that 690 00:30:33,415 --> 00:30:37,770 {\an8}he's the first crew member that had gotten shot. 691 00:30:37,794 --> 00:30:40,273 -We got a radio call about gunfire 692 00:30:40,297 --> 00:30:43,568 in the neighborhood, in Chesapeake, Virginia. 693 00:30:43,592 --> 00:30:45,236 Coming into the neighborhood, and the headlights 694 00:30:45,260 --> 00:30:47,405 swing across this group of young men. 695 00:30:47,429 --> 00:30:49,115 And they're just walking down the sidewalk. 696 00:30:49,139 --> 00:30:51,743 And they're kind of looking over their shoulder at us. 697 00:30:51,767 --> 00:30:54,495 An officer approaches the guy who called. 698 00:30:54,519 --> 00:30:55,955 "Hey, what's going on tonight?" 699 00:30:55,979 --> 00:30:57,665 "Well, I was out here, and I heard gunfire, 700 00:30:57,689 --> 00:30:59,375 and I saw those guys. They had a gun. 701 00:30:59,399 --> 00:31:01,919 And they put it right there in the trunk of that car." 702 00:31:01,943 --> 00:31:04,047 And an officer I'm with opens up the trunk. 703 00:31:04,071 --> 00:31:06,132 And sure enough, there's a shotgun 704 00:31:06,156 --> 00:31:07,925 laying right there in the trunk of the car. 705 00:31:07,949 --> 00:31:09,844 And I'm standing right in front of it. 706 00:31:09,868 --> 00:31:11,387 And at some point, he starts to lift 707 00:31:11,411 --> 00:31:12,764 the gun up, like he's gonna look at it. 708 00:31:12,788 --> 00:31:14,140 And I'm watching him in the viewfinder. 709 00:31:14,164 --> 00:31:16,059 And the words were forming on my lips, 710 00:31:16,083 --> 00:31:17,435 "Hey, don't you want to check that firearm, 711 00:31:17,459 --> 00:31:18,686 make sure it's safe?" 712 00:31:18,710 --> 00:31:20,271 And just through simple geometry, 713 00:31:20,295 --> 00:31:22,023 lifts the gun up, and his finger rolls back 714 00:31:22,047 --> 00:31:23,649 on the trigger guard, presses the trigger, 715 00:31:23,673 --> 00:31:26,194 and the gun goes off. 716 00:31:26,218 --> 00:31:29,363 Fortunately for me, it is not a direct hit. 717 00:31:29,387 --> 00:31:32,241 But I get the shockwave and the fire, 718 00:31:32,265 --> 00:31:35,703 and man, it literally took me off my feet. 719 00:31:35,727 --> 00:31:38,748 And the sound man completely loses his mind. 720 00:31:38,772 --> 00:31:40,249 He thinks I'm dead. 721 00:31:40,273 --> 00:31:42,710 He's walking around in a circle over here, 722 00:31:42,734 --> 00:31:45,570 just screaming at the top of his lungs at the policeman. 723 00:31:47,781 --> 00:31:50,343 And when this happens, I did not hit the button 724 00:31:50,367 --> 00:31:52,595 to stop it, and the camera rolled until it ran out of tape. 725 00:31:52,619 --> 00:31:56,265 So, it's laying on its side, documenting the whole scene. 726 00:31:56,289 --> 00:31:58,226 Marie Jordan was the producer at the time. 727 00:31:58,250 --> 00:31:59,894 Comes to me in the hospital. 728 00:31:59,918 --> 00:32:01,729 And he's like, "Mark, that was the greatest thing 729 00:32:01,753 --> 00:32:03,147 I've ever seen. You know, you're there, 730 00:32:03,171 --> 00:32:04,732 and you got the thing, the gun goes off. 731 00:32:04,756 --> 00:32:06,984 Pan back. You got the whole thing. 732 00:32:07,008 --> 00:32:08,152 It's unbelievable. 733 00:32:08,176 --> 00:32:09,570 I'll make sure you get a dub 734 00:32:09,594 --> 00:32:11,030 so you can show your grandkids someday. 735 00:32:11,054 --> 00:32:12,281 You're gonna love it. It's unbelievable." 736 00:32:12,305 --> 00:32:13,699 To this day, I've never seen it, 737 00:32:13,723 --> 00:32:16,202 I never got a dub. 738 00:32:16,226 --> 00:32:18,121 -Mark's never-shared, never-aired 739 00:32:18,145 --> 00:32:19,705 friendly fire shooting 740 00:32:19,729 --> 00:32:22,542 is an example of how "Cops" only presents police 741 00:32:22,566 --> 00:32:25,586 in a positive light. 742 00:32:25,610 --> 00:32:28,548 And in the '90s, police are increasingly seen 743 00:32:28,572 --> 00:32:32,260 as the solution to every problem. 744 00:32:32,284 --> 00:32:35,513 -We incarcerate more people in this country 745 00:32:35,537 --> 00:32:38,266 than anywhere else in the world. 746 00:32:38,290 --> 00:32:42,103 {\an8}"Cops" in the '90s was happening at the same exact time 747 00:32:42,127 --> 00:32:45,857 {\an8}where so many of these laws were being passed around the country 748 00:32:45,881 --> 00:32:49,402 that put us in this mass incarceration crisis. 749 00:32:49,426 --> 00:32:52,280 -If people cannot stop doing things 750 00:32:52,304 --> 00:32:53,781 that threaten other people's lives, 751 00:32:53,805 --> 00:32:56,701 they simply shouldn't be eligible for parole. 752 00:32:56,725 --> 00:33:00,580 -Like the crime bill in '94 that President Clinton pushed. 753 00:33:00,604 --> 00:33:02,123 -And that is the genesis of 754 00:33:02,147 --> 00:33:03,749 the three strikes, and you're out. 755 00:33:03,773 --> 00:33:06,335 -More officers on the street is one anti-crime measure 756 00:33:06,359 --> 00:33:08,212 that experts agree works. 757 00:33:08,236 --> 00:33:10,339 Several of the president's other initiatives 758 00:33:10,363 --> 00:33:11,924 are far more controversial... 759 00:33:11,948 --> 00:33:13,551 Among them, the so-called 760 00:33:13,575 --> 00:33:15,303 "three strikes" and you're out" amendment 761 00:33:15,327 --> 00:33:17,054 mandating life without parole 762 00:33:17,078 --> 00:33:19,515 for those who commit a third violent felony. 763 00:33:19,539 --> 00:33:23,519 -The TV show "Cops," right alongside the press releases 764 00:33:23,543 --> 00:33:27,732 from police departments and the policies being passed 765 00:33:27,756 --> 00:33:30,693 by both Democrats and Republicans, 766 00:33:30,717 --> 00:33:33,321 really led to us being a country 767 00:33:33,345 --> 00:33:37,992 that treats every single sort of challenge we have in our society 768 00:33:38,016 --> 00:33:41,621 as something to incarcerate someone for, 769 00:33:41,645 --> 00:33:44,332 especially if that person is Black or brown. 770 00:33:44,356 --> 00:33:51,255 -[ Speaking indistinctly ] 771 00:33:51,279 --> 00:33:53,716 -These shows, like "Cops," what they do is 772 00:33:53,740 --> 00:33:57,511 they give us a hero law enforcement figure. 773 00:33:57,535 --> 00:34:01,474 They give us a criminal person that has no backstory... 774 00:34:01,498 --> 00:34:06,979 Oftentimes someone who's Black or brown, or poor and white. 775 00:34:07,003 --> 00:34:09,523 -But when it comes to the white suspects that are apprehended... 776 00:34:09,547 --> 00:34:11,317 [ Indistinct talking ] 777 00:34:11,341 --> 00:34:12,985 {\an8}...it seemed like they talk to them more, 778 00:34:13,009 --> 00:34:14,737 {\an8}it's more conversational. It's like a laughing matter. 779 00:34:14,761 --> 00:34:16,072 {\an8}-How come you did that? 780 00:34:16,096 --> 00:34:17,782 -'Cause I'm stupid! 781 00:34:17,806 --> 00:34:19,575 -But when it comes to a drug perpetrator, 782 00:34:19,599 --> 00:34:22,411 a drug pusher, who was usually Black or brown, on the show, 783 00:34:22,435 --> 00:34:24,080 they're seen more like as savages. 784 00:34:24,104 --> 00:34:26,082 You know, they're tackled, wrangled to the ground, 785 00:34:26,106 --> 00:34:29,001 houses broken into. 786 00:34:29,025 --> 00:34:32,380 -Put your hands up. Put your hands up! 787 00:34:32,404 --> 00:34:34,590 -Scientific studies of the show "Cops" 788 00:34:34,614 --> 00:34:38,094 would later prove this inherent racism. 789 00:34:38,118 --> 00:34:40,429 -Those who were actually perpetrating the crimes, 790 00:34:40,453 --> 00:34:41,847 that's race-based, as well. 791 00:34:41,871 --> 00:34:45,142 Crack was seen as a destructive, cheap drug 792 00:34:45,166 --> 00:34:47,228 for poor communities of color. 793 00:34:47,252 --> 00:34:49,897 And we see that in this show. 794 00:34:49,921 --> 00:34:51,732 {\an8}-Let me tell you, there's plenty of white people 795 00:34:51,756 --> 00:34:54,235 {\an8}selling drugs in their, you know, posh neighborhoods, 796 00:34:54,259 --> 00:34:55,945 {\an8}behind the gated communities. 797 00:34:55,969 --> 00:34:58,489 But they're not doing that overtly in the street, 798 00:34:58,513 --> 00:35:01,826 like a prostitute or a crack dealer on the street corner. 799 00:35:01,850 --> 00:35:04,662 -We don't see the Wall Street individuals getting handcuffed 800 00:35:04,686 --> 00:35:08,040 for their cocaine habits. 801 00:35:08,064 --> 00:35:11,002 And what this does is continuously put in our minds 802 00:35:11,026 --> 00:35:13,587 this idea that these Black and brown individuals 803 00:35:13,611 --> 00:35:16,132 are the ones who are committing these crimes, solely. 804 00:35:16,156 --> 00:35:20,094 And that simply doesn't work with the math of individuals 805 00:35:20,118 --> 00:35:21,679 who are actually committing these crimes 806 00:35:21,703 --> 00:35:25,182 on a larger scale, outside of the media. 807 00:35:25,206 --> 00:35:27,393 -You know, TV has a tremendous impact 808 00:35:27,417 --> 00:35:30,855 on what we do and what we think. 809 00:35:30,879 --> 00:35:33,899 The information that comes into our homes through TV 810 00:35:33,923 --> 00:35:36,736 educates us about so many different things 811 00:35:36,760 --> 00:35:40,615 that we may not be able to touch or understand. 812 00:35:40,639 --> 00:35:43,951 And then, on Saturday nights, people are turning on this show 813 00:35:43,975 --> 00:35:45,911 that is telling them these horrible things 814 00:35:45,935 --> 00:35:47,538 are happening in these communities 815 00:35:47,562 --> 00:35:49,373 where they don't live. 816 00:35:49,397 --> 00:35:52,960 And the thing that is keeping these people 817 00:35:52,984 --> 00:35:54,629 from coming into their communities 818 00:35:54,653 --> 00:35:57,298 and harming them are these police officers. 819 00:35:57,322 --> 00:36:00,176 {\an8}-Remember what this is. This is entertainment. 820 00:36:00,200 --> 00:36:03,471 {\an8}This is a... This is a commercial enterprise that, 821 00:36:03,495 --> 00:36:06,265 we're both getting something out of this, right? 822 00:36:06,289 --> 00:36:10,227 Barbour/Langley is getting paid handsomely to produce this show. 823 00:36:10,251 --> 00:36:12,146 -On the ground. On the ground. 824 00:36:12,170 --> 00:36:15,107 -The police are not getting paid anything. 825 00:36:15,131 --> 00:36:17,443 [ Police radio chatter ] 826 00:36:17,467 --> 00:36:18,986 -Sheriff's department. 827 00:36:19,010 --> 00:36:21,155 -But what it does, it gives us the opportunity 828 00:36:21,179 --> 00:36:25,618 to show the public who we are, who we really are. 829 00:36:25,642 --> 00:36:27,119 -What are you doing? 830 00:36:27,143 --> 00:36:29,121 -Chasing bad guys, ma'am. 831 00:36:29,145 --> 00:36:30,414 -In a sense. 832 00:36:30,438 --> 00:36:31,665 -Stay out of my yard. 833 00:36:31,689 --> 00:36:33,167 -Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am. 834 00:36:33,191 --> 00:36:34,794 Sometimes you got to do what you got to do. 835 00:36:34,818 --> 00:36:37,963 -You can't package something that says it's reality 836 00:36:37,987 --> 00:36:40,466 about policing, then let police officers 837 00:36:40,490 --> 00:36:42,510 and police departments, at the end, 838 00:36:42,534 --> 00:36:45,203 decide what you actually get to see. 839 00:36:46,329 --> 00:36:48,599 [ sirens wailing ] 840 00:36:48,623 --> 00:36:49,975 -We're talking about the reality 841 00:36:49,999 --> 00:36:51,977 of this gritty, raw police department. 842 00:36:52,001 --> 00:36:54,397 What actually is real is whatever the police department 843 00:36:54,421 --> 00:36:55,713 wants you to see as real. 844 00:36:58,174 --> 00:37:01,487 -By the end of the decade, the filtered reality of "Cops" 845 00:37:01,511 --> 00:37:03,364 becomes even more detached 846 00:37:03,388 --> 00:37:05,658 from what's really happening in the country. 847 00:37:05,682 --> 00:37:08,285 -You know, starting in the '90s, 848 00:37:08,309 --> 00:37:10,311 violent crime starts to go down. 849 00:37:12,564 --> 00:37:15,167 -It was called "Operation Hammer." 850 00:37:15,191 --> 00:37:17,336 -The violence of the War on Drugs era 851 00:37:17,360 --> 00:37:19,839 reaches its peak in 1991. 852 00:37:19,863 --> 00:37:23,092 And by '99, rates of violent crime across the country 853 00:37:23,116 --> 00:37:26,095 drop almost 50%, and keep dropping. 854 00:37:26,119 --> 00:37:27,638 - the streets of LA. 855 00:37:27,662 --> 00:37:30,891 -But every year that Pew Research tracks it, 856 00:37:30,915 --> 00:37:33,227 they show that Americans believe violent crime 857 00:37:33,251 --> 00:37:34,770 is just steadily going up. 858 00:37:34,794 --> 00:37:37,273 And so, there's a gap that ends up happening 859 00:37:37,297 --> 00:37:40,151 between perception and reality. 860 00:37:40,175 --> 00:37:41,986 -And the climate of outsized fear 861 00:37:42,010 --> 00:37:43,571 that "Cops" has helped create 862 00:37:43,595 --> 00:37:45,930 is about to get much, much worse. 863 00:37:59,569 --> 00:38:05,384 -Three, two, one! Happy 2000! 864 00:38:05,408 --> 00:38:09,013 -By the end of the '90s, "Cops" is showing its age. 865 00:38:09,037 --> 00:38:12,183 Ratings are a quarter of what they once were. 866 00:38:12,207 --> 00:38:14,018 But the way we look at law enforcement 867 00:38:14,042 --> 00:38:16,020 is about to change dramatically. 868 00:38:16,044 --> 00:38:19,190 [ Siren wailing ] 869 00:38:19,214 --> 00:38:24,320 [ Indistinct shouting ] 870 00:38:24,344 --> 00:38:29,098 After 9/11, the War on Drugs gives way to the War on Terror. 871 00:38:32,143 --> 00:38:36,957 -This crusade, this war on terrorism, 872 00:38:36,981 --> 00:38:38,959 is going to take a while. 873 00:38:38,983 --> 00:38:42,296 And the American people must be patient. 874 00:38:42,320 --> 00:38:45,007 -Police forces become increasingly militarized 875 00:38:45,031 --> 00:38:47,116 in the name of keeping America safe. 876 00:38:49,744 --> 00:38:51,430 {\an8}And, more than ever, 877 00:38:51,454 --> 00:38:55,100 cops are universally being held up as national heroes. 878 00:38:55,124 --> 00:38:58,687 -That is not only inaccurate, but is deeply dangerous, 879 00:38:58,711 --> 00:39:00,981 because what it does is it prevents us 880 00:39:01,005 --> 00:39:02,942 from actually doing the real work 881 00:39:02,966 --> 00:39:06,028 to solve both the challenges that we have in policing 882 00:39:06,052 --> 00:39:07,571 and the challenges that we have 883 00:39:07,595 --> 00:39:09,931 with safety and justice in our communities. 884 00:39:12,267 --> 00:39:14,286 -For a growing number of Americans, 885 00:39:14,310 --> 00:39:16,789 it seems obvious that keeping America safe 886 00:39:16,813 --> 00:39:19,065 really means keeping white people safe. 887 00:39:21,484 --> 00:39:24,213 The killing of Trayvon Martin and the acquittal of the man 888 00:39:24,237 --> 00:39:27,049 who pulled the trigger just confirms these beliefs. 889 00:39:27,073 --> 00:39:30,135 {\an8}-...story causing heartache and anguish in southern Florida. 890 00:39:30,159 --> 00:39:31,845 {\an8}Now, the Feds are saying that they're in contact 891 00:39:31,869 --> 00:39:33,305 {\an8}with local police, 892 00:39:33,329 --> 00:39:35,266 {\an8}investigating the killing of a teenager 893 00:39:35,290 --> 00:39:37,476 {\an8}by a neighborhood watch volunteer. 894 00:39:37,500 --> 00:39:40,563 That's an incident raising alarm among civil rights leaders. 895 00:39:40,587 --> 00:39:42,106 - was not committing any crime. 896 00:39:42,130 --> 00:39:44,858 - No. - Our son is your son. 897 00:39:44,882 --> 00:39:46,443 [ Cheering ] 898 00:39:46,467 --> 00:39:49,405 -To think of this system as inherently good is wrong, 899 00:39:49,429 --> 00:39:51,824 because this system, in and of itself, 900 00:39:51,848 --> 00:39:56,203 was created without Black people in mind. 901 00:39:56,227 --> 00:39:59,063 It was created to help increase white power. 902 00:40:00,982 --> 00:40:02,835 -Activists reach out to the company 903 00:40:02,859 --> 00:40:06,046 that helped define America's understanding of policing, 904 00:40:06,070 --> 00:40:08,340 to see if they might want to cancel the show 905 00:40:08,364 --> 00:40:10,301 in light of this new reality. 906 00:40:10,325 --> 00:40:12,553 -During this moment where people are in the streets, 907 00:40:12,577 --> 00:40:15,389 where people are protesting, we reached out to Fox. 908 00:40:15,413 --> 00:40:20,519 And the folks at Fox were not interested. 909 00:40:20,543 --> 00:40:21,770 [ Crowd chanting "No justice, no peace!" ] 910 00:40:21,794 --> 00:40:25,441 -But with more pressure, Fox reconsiders. 911 00:40:25,465 --> 00:40:28,235 -The day before, I was actually heading off 912 00:40:28,259 --> 00:40:30,738 for the protest in front of their studios, 913 00:40:30,762 --> 00:40:34,325 Fox reached out and said they wouldn't be renewing the show. 914 00:40:34,349 --> 00:40:38,120 -Fox cancels its longest-running series in 2013, 915 00:40:38,144 --> 00:40:41,206 after 25 seasons on air. 916 00:40:41,230 --> 00:40:44,043 But "Cops" gets a second life on another network. 917 00:40:44,067 --> 00:40:46,920 -That's when "Cops" moved to Spike TV. 918 00:40:46,944 --> 00:40:50,215 {\an8}-New episodes of "Cops," Saturdays at 8:00, on Spike. 919 00:40:50,239 --> 00:40:51,634 - "Cops" did what it did with Fox. 920 00:40:51,658 --> 00:40:53,886 It brought new eyes to the network, 921 00:40:53,910 --> 00:40:56,055 and it increased its viewership. 922 00:40:56,079 --> 00:40:59,933 {\an8}-The show's successful run on cable proves there's an audience 923 00:40:59,957 --> 00:41:02,645 {\an8}that thinks cops still have stories worth telling. 924 00:41:02,669 --> 00:41:05,397 {\an8}-...are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 925 00:41:05,421 --> 00:41:08,817 {\an8}-A show that reveals what police do, 926 00:41:08,841 --> 00:41:10,736 there is not only a place, 927 00:41:10,760 --> 00:41:14,198 it's essential that people see it. 928 00:41:14,222 --> 00:41:16,241 -But today, the Internet delivers 929 00:41:16,265 --> 00:41:17,910 its own version of this show... 930 00:41:17,934 --> 00:41:20,371 Without police censoring what they don't like. 931 00:41:20,395 --> 00:41:23,374 [ Gunshots ] 932 00:41:23,398 --> 00:41:26,001 And 25 years after Rodney King, 933 00:41:26,025 --> 00:41:29,171 shocking video evidence of police killing Black men 934 00:41:29,195 --> 00:41:31,507 is piling up. 935 00:41:31,531 --> 00:41:34,218 -16-19. Both officers okay. Suspect down. 936 00:41:34,242 --> 00:41:36,845 [Indistinct]. Code 3. 937 00:41:36,869 --> 00:41:41,558 - "Cops" was an expression that didn't have a retort. 938 00:41:41,582 --> 00:41:45,104 There are so many retorts now, through the phones 939 00:41:45,128 --> 00:41:46,897 that people carry in their hands 940 00:41:46,921 --> 00:41:50,192 and the videos that get posted on social media. 941 00:41:50,216 --> 00:41:52,635 [ All shouting ] 942 00:41:55,096 --> 00:42:00,202 The gatekeepers have been removed. 943 00:42:00,226 --> 00:42:04,230 -Demands for justice and police accountability get louder... 944 00:42:06,691 --> 00:42:09,044 {\an8}...until the widening gap between the police you see 945 00:42:09,068 --> 00:42:10,295 {\an8}on "Cops"... 946 00:42:10,319 --> 00:42:12,256 {\an8}- Bye-bye. - Bye-bye. 947 00:42:12,280 --> 00:42:14,925 {\an8}-...and the police you see on YouTube... 948 00:42:14,949 --> 00:42:16,093 {\an8}-I can't breathe. 949 00:42:16,117 --> 00:42:17,803 {\an8}-...triggers global outrage. 950 00:42:17,827 --> 00:42:20,413 {\an8}[ Crowd chanting "Black lives matter!" ] 951 00:42:23,041 --> 00:42:26,794 {\an8}[ Crowd chanting "No justice, no peace!" ] 952 00:42:27,670 --> 00:42:31,066 {\an8}At the height of the protests, "Cops" is canceled again. 953 00:42:31,090 --> 00:42:33,110 {\an8}- "Cops," one of the longest-running TV shows, 954 00:42:33,134 --> 00:42:36,488 {\an8}has been canceled in the wake of George Floyd's death. 955 00:42:36,512 --> 00:42:39,700 {\an8}-In the social-political environment of the year 2020, 956 00:42:39,724 --> 00:42:40,951 {\an8}it doesn't surprise me at all. 957 00:42:40,975 --> 00:42:42,286 {\an8}-Give me your ID. 958 00:42:42,310 --> 00:42:44,413 {\an8}I got plenty of chances to taze you. 959 00:42:44,437 --> 00:42:47,040 {\an8}-Its 33rd was set to premiere next Monday, 960 00:42:47,064 --> 00:42:51,253 {\an8}but the Paramount Network now tells ET that's not happening, 961 00:42:51,277 --> 00:42:54,214 {\an8}and, "We don't have any current or future plans 962 00:42:54,238 --> 00:42:55,656 {\an8}for it to return." 963 00:42:59,368 --> 00:43:01,346 -One year later, the show's creator, 964 00:43:01,370 --> 00:43:03,724 John Langley, dies of a heart attack 965 00:43:03,748 --> 00:43:07,352 during a cross-country off-road race in Mexico. 966 00:43:07,376 --> 00:43:10,773 [ Crowd chanting "Black lives matter!" ] 967 00:43:10,797 --> 00:43:14,735 But despite Langley's death, "Cops," much like the debate 968 00:43:14,759 --> 00:43:18,906 {\an8}over policing in America, lives on. 969 00:43:18,930 --> 00:43:22,493 {\an8}- "Cops" is a cultural mainstay, whether you like it or not, 970 00:43:22,517 --> 00:43:25,662 unfortunately, as many people still believe in this ideal 971 00:43:25,686 --> 00:43:27,331 of how the police look. 972 00:43:27,355 --> 00:43:30,209 And I think that "Cops" will find a home somewhere. 973 00:43:30,233 --> 00:43:32,169 -As of October, 2021, 974 00:43:32,193 --> 00:43:35,506 new episodes of "Cops," produced by Langley's son, 975 00:43:35,530 --> 00:43:37,883 are once again airing in the U.S., 976 00:43:37,907 --> 00:43:41,470 {\an8}on a streaming service owned by Fox News. 977 00:43:41,494 --> 00:43:44,014 {\an8}-There are real stories to actually tell 978 00:43:44,038 --> 00:43:47,434 {\an8}when it comes to policing in this country. 979 00:43:47,458 --> 00:43:49,728 {\an8}And it is the responsibility of all of us 980 00:43:49,752 --> 00:43:53,857 {\an8}to hold the media accountable when they create these deep, 981 00:43:53,881 --> 00:43:57,861 {\an8}deep divides between perception and reality. 982 00:43:57,885 --> 00:44:05,885 {\an8}♪♪ 983 00:44:36,007 --> 00:44:37,818 -Most of our shifts were like 10 hours... at least 10 hours. 984 00:44:37,842 --> 00:44:41,822 So, that's a long time in a car. 985 00:44:41,846 --> 00:44:44,867 -They were with us for, I'd say, two weeks. 986 00:44:44,891 --> 00:44:46,577 And they rode with us nightly. 987 00:44:46,601 --> 00:44:47,911 And we had a lot of fun. 988 00:44:47,935 --> 00:44:50,205 We got to know them. 989 00:44:50,229 --> 00:44:53,792 -And the officers were always concerned 990 00:44:53,816 --> 00:44:55,794 that we would be bored. 991 00:44:55,818 --> 00:44:59,756 I say I've never been bored while on a shoot with cops, 992 00:44:59,780 --> 00:45:02,801 because I enjoy it so much. 993 00:45:02,825 --> 00:45:04,177 -I loved working on the show. 994 00:45:04,201 --> 00:45:06,138 I love the guys. I got to know them. 995 00:45:06,162 --> 00:45:07,848 We're friends. 996 00:45:07,872 --> 00:45:11,685 Made friends with some wonderful, wonderful policemen. 997 00:45:11,709 --> 00:45:14,855 I literally feel like I got years 998 00:45:14,879 --> 00:45:16,607 of law enforcement training 999 00:45:16,631 --> 00:45:20,235 at the knee of some of the best policemen in America. 1000 00:45:20,259 --> 00:45:22,237 -Come on out. 1001 00:45:22,261 --> 00:45:23,947 -In the car with them, 1002 00:45:23,971 --> 00:45:25,657 watching them work, seeing how they talk to people, 1003 00:45:25,681 --> 00:45:28,160 seeing how they interact, seeing how they de-escalate, 1004 00:45:28,184 --> 00:45:29,828 seeing how they handle different problems, 1005 00:45:29,852 --> 00:45:31,413 it was fantastic. 1006 00:45:31,437 --> 00:45:33,373 It was so much fun. I loved every minute of it. 1007 00:45:33,397 --> 00:45:34,708 -Police officer. 1008 00:45:34,732 --> 00:45:36,251 Don't move! 1009 00:45:36,275 --> 00:45:39,087 -They saved my bacon on more than one occasion. 1010 00:45:39,111 --> 00:45:40,839 -Yeah, there were... 1011 00:45:40,863 --> 00:45:43,717 There were a few times when we all kind of crossed the line. 1012 00:45:43,741 --> 00:45:46,553 I mean, we're there with a camera, 1013 00:45:46,577 --> 00:45:48,931 and we're there as documentarians, 1014 00:45:48,955 --> 00:45:51,350 to document what's happening. 1015 00:45:51,374 --> 00:45:55,562 But the same time, we are also not going to watch the officer 1016 00:45:55,586 --> 00:45:58,023 with whom we're working get his ass kicked 1017 00:45:58,047 --> 00:46:02,402 if simple intervention is gonna keep that from happening. 1018 00:46:02,426 --> 00:46:04,321 -They were told, "You're not involved. 1019 00:46:04,345 --> 00:46:06,490 You're not a cop. Don't get involved." 1020 00:46:06,514 --> 00:46:08,533 But there was times when I was in a fight, 1021 00:46:08,557 --> 00:46:11,620 and I needed some help, and they helped. 1022 00:46:11,644 --> 00:46:14,373 -It could be something as benign or simple as 1023 00:46:14,397 --> 00:46:18,710 handing a policeman a flashlight or some extra handcuffs. 1024 00:46:18,734 --> 00:46:21,088 But there were a few times when, you know, 1025 00:46:21,112 --> 00:46:23,215 crew intervention was... 1026 00:46:23,239 --> 00:46:25,050 was needed, and appreciated. 1027 00:46:25,074 --> 00:46:28,327 -Some of these guys got into more action than most cops did. 1028 00:46:57,690 --> 00:46:59,793 -But it's really disappointing that the police departments 1029 00:46:59,817 --> 00:47:01,670 haven't seen reform and accountability 1030 00:47:01,694 --> 00:47:05,382 as in their own self-interest, in their own self-preservation, 1031 00:47:05,406 --> 00:47:07,592 that they haven't seen the need 1032 00:47:07,616 --> 00:47:11,263 to actually rid themselves of the problems 1033 00:47:11,287 --> 00:47:16,810 inside their departments, which is why this is such a challenge. 1034 00:47:16,834 --> 00:47:19,646 -I know that police corruption exists. 1035 00:47:19,670 --> 00:47:22,983 I know that police misconduct exists. 1036 00:47:23,007 --> 00:47:25,360 I know that it has to be dealt with. 1037 00:47:25,384 --> 00:47:28,780 It has to be dealt with firmly. 1038 00:47:28,804 --> 00:47:33,702 But I also know that there has been a portrayal of misconduct 1039 00:47:33,726 --> 00:47:36,228 on a scale that doesn't exist. 1040 00:47:40,483 --> 00:47:42,502 -If folks think that police officers 1041 00:47:42,526 --> 00:47:44,713 are somehow under attack 1042 00:47:44,737 --> 00:47:48,967 because there is a movement for accountability, 1043 00:47:48,991 --> 00:47:52,554 then they actually don't care about good police officers. 1044 00:47:52,578 --> 00:47:55,265 Because, at the end of the day, what we have here 1045 00:47:55,289 --> 00:47:58,894 is a systemic and structural challenge 1046 00:47:58,918 --> 00:48:02,147 that makes it hard for anyone who does want to go into 1047 00:48:02,171 --> 00:48:08,111 policing for reasons that are connected to safety and justice. 1048 00:48:08,135 --> 00:48:11,907 -The media and so many of the politicians 1049 00:48:11,931 --> 00:48:13,742 have torn apart our profession. 1050 00:48:13,766 --> 00:48:19,122 So, you now have a crisis taking place 1051 00:48:19,146 --> 00:48:22,542 across this country in hiring and retaining 1052 00:48:22,566 --> 00:48:24,878 police officers of good quality. 1053 00:48:24,902 --> 00:48:28,215 And this is something that we have to combat, 1054 00:48:28,239 --> 00:48:30,801 because we want the right people to have the job. 1055 00:48:30,825 --> 00:48:32,886 We want people that have the skills, 1056 00:48:32,910 --> 00:48:34,262 that can de-escalate. 1057 00:48:34,286 --> 00:48:36,640 We want people that have empathy 1058 00:48:36,664 --> 00:48:38,874 and have compassion for people. 1059 00:48:41,127 --> 00:48:42,979 -But there's a systemic challenge. 1060 00:48:43,003 --> 00:48:45,649 It's not a challenge of the bad apples. 1061 00:48:45,673 --> 00:48:48,026 It is a challenge of a rotten barrel... 1062 00:48:48,050 --> 00:48:50,445 A rotten barrel and a rotten structure. 1063 00:48:50,469 --> 00:48:53,764 [ Crowd chanting ]