# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/161 "2023-05-15T01:26:51Z")
In shows about civilian detectives you will occasionally get the story of them investigating an actual police officers death on duty (usually an old friend of them). The police will either pushback against this investigation or simply not care even if this isn’t one of those “Police Dark Conspiracy” cases. So when a 20 year police veteran who’s well regarded gets murdered at a construction site mysteriously and the civilian checks the crime scene out after hours, they will be chewed out by responding officers for trespassing on a crime scene unsympathetically. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/162 "2023-05-15T01:36:27Z")
Forget safe houses, the SVU squad room is the most dangerous place in New York. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/163 "2023-05-15T02:15:29Z")
Someone already mentioned the courthouse steps. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/164 "2023-05-15T03:14:36Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > > [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > > > And guarding a safe house is the most dangerous job in law enforcement. Also a job assigned to the dumbest officers available. > > The mortality rate is damn near 100%. And no one really gives them much thought after they are killed. Too bad for ol’ whats his name. Unless Ziva is guarding the safe house, [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Qo_a5E8hG70/hqdefault.jpg "Favorite NCIS scene - Ziva double shooting") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo_a5E8hG70) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/165 "2023-05-15T03:37:14Z")
If investigating a crime that involves a professional wrestler or some aspect of the wrestling business, at least one of the wrestlers the detective talks to will claim to have been scandalized by the promoter telling them to take a dive as if the wrestling business was otherwise a legitimate sporting competition. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/166 "2023-05-15T06:13:49Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Forget safe houses, the SVU squad room is the most dangerous place in New York. If SVU tells you they’ll protect you then you have less than 24 hours to live. It’s not surprising, the entire team covering all of NYC except Staten Island has at most 7 members at any one time, and usually no more than 2 actively working on cases. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/167 "2023-05-15T07:23:34Z")
To expand on the ‘pull a U-turn in the middle of the block’: the cops that take the call are ALWAYS heading in the wrong direction along the road initially. U turns are therefore essential. Also, when the first-responding cops go through red lights at crossroads, they will be impervious to any crashes; in fact, they won’t even get a scratch, whilst multiple civilian cars swerving out of their way will sustain severe damage. The one example I can think of where this doesn’t happen is in _Bosch_, where Crate and Barrel get into a smash when responding to a call, and a big thing is made of it in the story. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/168 "2023-05-15T11:15:58Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > And guarding a safe house is the most dangerous job in law enforcement. Also a job assigned to the dumbest officers available. > [@TriPolar](#): > > If SVU tells you they’ll protect you then you have less than 24 hours to live. It’s not surprising, the entire team covering all of NYC except Staten Island has at most 7 members at any one time, and usually no more than 2 actively working on cases. To be fair, the person being guarded is probably the dumbest one of the bunch. They always have to make that one last call to their mother / significant other / whoever. Either that or they get cabin fever (despite having been there less than 24 hours) and decide to go for a walk despite being told numerous times that’s a bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/169 "2023-05-15T12:38:29Z")
You never, ever call anyone by their first name unless you’re literally trying to talk someone off a ledge. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/170 "2023-05-15T12:44:58Z")
Every crime at any level in New York City involves at least one member of the Reagan family. Or multiple members. Not limited to the present generation. Or to living family members. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/171 "2023-05-15T13:30:11Z")
If it is Boston it is the Kennedy family!!! ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/172 "2023-05-15T14:17:09Z")
They also are in charge of the little red light that sticks magnetically to the roof, and parts traffic like Moses. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/173 "2023-05-15T14:48:58Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The smell of a decop human body is about the worst ever. Quite the username/post combo! ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/174 "2023-05-15T14:52:53Z")
Don’t know how many remember this one: FBI agents only drive Fords. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/175 "2023-05-15T16:02:30Z")
Anytime the victim or a cop (either a rookie or someone who lacks imagination) says, “It’s just some kids,” or “It’s a prank,” or “Is this some kind of joke?” it never is. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/176 "2023-05-15T16:05:35Z")
A cop can instantly tell the exact caliber of the bullet that entered the victim by looking at the entry hole made in the clothing while standing up over the victim in a dimly lit room. You can safely traverse an area peppered with gunfire if you yell “cover me!” to your partner. You can hack into anyone’s computer with ease but you must under no condition use the mouse for anything. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/177 "2023-05-15T16:29:06Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Don’t know how many remember this one: FBI agents only drive Fords. When the original FBI TV series was on Ford was a sponsor. You would often have scenes where not only was every car they were driving a Ford, including the criminals, but every car parked on every street was a Ford. It became hard not to notice after a while. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/178 "2023-05-15T16:30:52Z")
Oh yeah, and this one really gets me: the cop or geeky person ALWAYS manages to guess the person’s password(s) by looking at the pictures on their desk (if they’re at the person’s house) or text messages or some other thing, ‘cause people always choose as their password the place where they spend their honeymoon, or sumpin’ like that. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/179 "2023-05-15T16:33:13Z")
I remember when the coolest FBI agent _ever_, Lew Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.), drove a Mustang. [![](https://hmssweblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/ezjr-fbi.jpg) ](https://hmssweblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/ezjr-fbi.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820/180 "2023-05-15T17:16:17Z")
I’ve tried watching NCIS a few times, but I found it pretty unwatchable and annoying. That was a kickass scene though! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-learned-from-watching-tv-cop-shows/983820.md?page=10)