The American Cop

Series

Series Name

The March of Time 12th Year

Issue

Issue No.

4

Date Released

1947

Length of issue (in feet)

1654

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1The American Cop

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 1

Summary

The March of Time synopsis: The film shows how many and various are the contingencies with which the New York police force may have to deal. In addition to his well known activities in respect of crime per se, the ordinary policeman is expected, among other things, to give information to visitors from the provinces and to supervise at the birth of a baby, when professional help is not available. There are eighteen thousand men in the New York City police force, a proportion of which are mounted, others belong to the harbour police, others again to the mechanised force. Recruits to the force are selected on merit, must pass mental and physical tests, and the curriculum for the twelve weeks’ course of instruction covers a wide field. We are shown how painstakingly the duties of the force are carried out. It is estimated that murders in American cities and towns have risen by 29% during the last six months, and it is upon the municipal cop that the responsibility for enforcing the law most chiefly depends. This number is full of sensational information, which, if common knowledge in America, is news to us over here. M.E.C.

Researcher Comments

This story was included in Vol.13 No.4 of the US edition.

Keywords

Education and training; Police; Employment

Written sources

Monthly Film Bulletin   Vol.14 No.157 January 1947, p15.
The March of Time Promotional Material   Typed Notes, Used for synopsis

Credits:

Production Co.

Time Inc.