NCJ Number
29258
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS FILM SHOWS VIGNETTES OF SITUATIONS IN WHICH EITHER POLICE OR CITIZEN BEHAVIOR APPEARS ON THE SURFACE TO BE PREJUDICIAL, STEREOTYPICAL, OR CRIMINAL, BUT IS MITIGATED BY FACTORS NOT IMMEDIATELY OBVIOUS.
Abstract
BASED ON INCIDENTS AND SITUATIONS FROM THE FILES OF THE ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA POLICE DEPARTMENT, THIS FILM SHOWS PREJUDICE IN BOTH TEENAGERS AND POLICE OFFICERS, AND SEEKS TO BRING ABOUT BETTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GROUPS. AVOIDING THE KIND OF SPECTACULAR CONFRONTATIONS THAT MAKE HEADLINES, THE CAMERAS ARE FOCUSED ON EVERYDAY INCIDENTS SUCH AS THE GIRL WHO TAKES AN OVERDOSE OF A PRESCRIBED PAIN-KILLER AT SCHOOL AND IS SUSPECTED BY ONE POLICE OFFICER OF ILLICIT DRUG ABUSE. THE SECOND, MORE CAUTIOUS OFFICER WITHHOLDS A DECISION UNTIL THEY FIND THE PRESCRIPTION BOTTLE AND REALIZE THE TRUTH. SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS PRESENT THE CASE FOR WITHHOLDING JUDGMENTS UNTIL ALL THE FACTS ARE IN. THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DETAILS ARE TECHNICALLY CORRECT. WHILE THE SLANT IS SLIGHTLY IN FAVOR OF THE OFFICERS, THE PRODUCERS HAVE MADE A REAL EFFORT TO SHOW THAT THE POLICE, TOO, SOMETIMES PRE-JUDGE OTHERS, AND THAT WE SHOULD ALL TRY TO BE FAIR IN RELATIONS WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND BASE OPINIONS ON THE PERSON, NOT ON HIS UNIFORM OR HAIRCUT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)