In the documentary we are watching for OJ Simpson, there was some information on TV shows that starred the police force. I found it interesting that these police officers would go out of their ways to appear on Television. They would portray themselves as these great officers who only did well. With their cutting edge ways of keeping crime down in their neighborhoods. There were millions of viewers that would tune in reaching 16.5 million viewers a week. All their glory got hit by reality in 1965 when a riot broke out and more followed after the first. Ending with 34 people dead and 1,032 people injured, catching all of 'Dragnet's viewers by surprise. The police force was under fire after footage came out of the riots and all their brutality towards Black-Americans. "For nearly twenty years, Dragnet had portrayed an efficient, professional, and respectful LAPD." All done because of the help they received from LAPD Chief William Parker, who turned the corrupt police force into a well-respected police force. The continuation of airing the show allowed for the support to stay high for LAPD. "A 1967 Gallup poll found that 77 percent of Americans had “a great deal of confidence in the police” — an increase from a 70 percent approval rating prior to the Watts riot in 1965." Saving the LAPD from getting boycotted and restarted. I wonder if other police departments across the country had aired TV shows starring their PD's if people including people of color have positive views or much more negative views?
Source:
https://timeline.com/dragnet-lapd-propaganda-cop-bb19d9a5fb6f
I think that the LAPD was just especially controversial then due to their behavior towards the black community. I mean around the country there was police brutality, but in LA during the riots, police brutality seemed especially bad. This is why they needed the rest of LA to be on their side so that they would not be called out or questioned for their behavior. I doubt that it reassured many people of color that the police were good, as they could see how they were being treated by the police already. But it may have worked on white people which is why there was a 7% increase in approval. But overall, I don't think the police could have gotten the approval of people of color except for changing their ways, which they clearly haven't.
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