# Things I learned from watching TV cop shows **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [May 9, 2023, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820 "2023-05-09T18:54:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2023, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/421 "2023-06-09T14:04:21Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > eighteen-minute gap I saw what you did there. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2023, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/422 "2023-06-09T14:40:03Z")
> [@74westy](#): > > > [@flurb](#): > > > > eighteen-minute gap > > I saw what you did there. So that’s what happened. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2023, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/423 "2023-06-09T16:15:56Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > Noone will think that an eighteen-minute gap in the videorecording that ends with a bruised suspect shakily signing a full confession is in anyway suspicious. Seems to work in real life when a cop turns off or mutes their bodycam and their testimony about what happened during that time directly contradicts the defendants. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2023, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/424 "2023-06-09T20:11:38Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > We are getting in danger of taking a fun CS topic and turning it into FQ Yeah, but I am not hitting the flag on any posts- yet. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2023, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/425 "2023-06-09T22:10:30Z")
Ordinary uniformed officers are not only in top physical condition but wear impeccably tailored uniforms. Detectives, on the other hand, not so much. [![](https://tvseriesfinale.com/assets/adam1210m.jpg) ](https://tvseriesfinale.com/assets/adam1210m.jpg) [![](https://dailygazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TV_BARNEY_MILLER_ADV30_1-scaled.jpg) ](https://dailygazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TV_BARNEY_MILLER_ADV30_1-scaled.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2023, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/426 "2023-06-09T22:38:22Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > Detectives, on the other hand, not so much. Police Officers have said that Barney Miller was the most realistic Cop show on TV. Note the lack of car chases, and not many shoot outs. And when one of them had to shoot someone, they are traumatized over it… but they get over it in time. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/427 "2023-06-10T20:15:31Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > Only if it’s Hawaii 50! Remake or original? In a late season episode of the remake, I learned that if you want to arrest someone holed up in their tropical walled compound, the first thing to do is have snipers take out the guards on the walls. I also learned (and this isn’t just 5-0 thing, but is apparently stressed in their training manual) under no circumstances should you cover the back door of house. Put all 15 people on the street out front, and then be surprised when they run out the back door. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2023, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/428 "2023-06-10T20:18:12Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Put all 15 people on the street out front, and then be surprised when they run out the back door. Sign- faceplam- all the time. Or when you approach a suspect on the street, flash you badge when you are no less that a dozen feet away, and make sure your partner isnt coming from his back, so as to give him a good chance to run away. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2023, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/429 "2023-06-10T20:24:28Z")
Something I have seen in the Law & Order franchise occasionally… the detectives find out a witness/person of interest is dead by meeting with the local police at the person’s grave for some reason. Like a one minute phone call would NOT be easier. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2023, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/430 "2023-06-10T20:40:04Z")
Not simply from TV cop shows, but it’s well known you can hang on to the skids of a helicopter as it’s taking off, climb up into the cockpit, and force the pilot to land. You may have to fight the pilot and/or passengers but once you throw one out the door you’re done. Don’t worry, anybody can land a helicopter. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2023, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/431 "2023-06-10T20:46:38Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Don’t worry, anybody can land a helicopter. Landing is arguably the easy part - surviving it, somewhat harder. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/432 "2023-06-11T03:13:24Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Landing is arguably the easy part - surviving it, somewhat harder. A good landing is where everyone survives, a great landing is where you can reuse the airplane! ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/433 "2023-06-11T03:15:07Z")
I’ve learned from cop shows that if two of you have the perp at gunpoint, it’s best if the perp is directly between the two of you so that any through and through shots are sure to hit your partner. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/434 "2023-06-11T03:43:02Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > “A good landing is where everyone survives, a great landing is where you can reuse the airplane!” Isn’t that a quote from Carolyn Knapp-Shappey[**?**](https://cabin-pressure.fandom.com/wiki/Carolyn_Knapp-Shappey) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/435 "2023-06-11T05:45:26Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Isn’t that a quote from Carolyn Knapp-Shappey[**?**](https://cabin-pressure.fandom.com/wiki/Carolyn_Knapp-Shappey) I’m sure Martin already knows. Douglas might need the occasional reminder. Arthur thinks a brilliant landing is one that doesn’t damage his hat. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/436 "2023-06-11T12:28:36Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Isn’t that a quote from Carolyn Knapp-Shappey I’ve no idea who that is… ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/437 "2023-06-11T14:07:39Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > I’ve no idea who that is… She’s a character on the BBC Radio show _Cabin Pressure_; a comedy set at the world’s smallest airline. Carolyn is the owner of the plane. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/438 "2023-06-11T15:08:50Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > a comedy set at the world’s smallest airline. Seems to be about the same size airline as Sandpiper Air that operated out of Nantucket from 1990-1997. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/439 "2023-06-11T15:17:38Z")
No, I think Sandpiper had more than one plane. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/440 "2023-06-11T15:21:39Z")
No, Sandpiper only had one plane, a Cessna. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820.md?page=23)