Your Roll Model(s)?
Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com
Awhile back there was a poll question generated - but never apparently used - on which television or movie police character was closest to your role model. One of the reasons it may not have been used is that not everyone would know every character. There were 9 listed and I am only familiar with 6 of them. Heck, one of them was from the show “Adam-12″. Remember that? But the unused question got me to thinking: what role models do police today have?
I’ve attended presentations by LtCol Dave Grossman (ret) where he addresses role models to a certain extent. One of his comments is that officers shouldn’t select role models who break the rules. That reminds me of a line from the movie Billy Jack: “When policeman break the law then there is no law; just a fight for survival.”
More thinking… and that can be hard for me to do sometimes. What role models exist in the movies or on television today who are good? I’d love to hear your responses, and I’ll share some of mine, if for no other reason than to give each of you a good laugh.
Cordell Walker: Yep, “Walker, Texas Ranger”. Why? The character is a military service veteran (commissioned officer), and a sergeant with the Texas Rangers. His background has led him to believe in realms beyond our “real” world, and he’s not shy about sharing those beliefs. He values loyalty, honesty and keeps his word.
Buford Pusser: the sheriff from the movie “Walking Tall”. If we can believe the movie, this man almost single handedly cleaned up his home town at significant cost to himself and great risk to his family. His commitment to his job was more than impressive.
Jesse Stone: the Chief of Police in Paradise, Mass. from the books and made-for-television movies. Played by Tom Selleck, Jesse Stone is a flawed character (an imperfect human, can you believe it?) who always tries to do the right thing. He may not always succeed, but he constantly demonstrates that his heart is in the right place. He sometimes walks a fine line between legal and illegal, but it’s clear that he’s always serving the interest of public safety and justice.
Jim Street: from the television show and movie “S.W.A.T.”. I was a bit young to remember the television show very well, but I remember being impressed with the character Robert Urick portrayed. Colin Farrell reprised the role in the movie version and I felt he did it justice as well. The character was dedicated to his job; skilled; backed up his partner and stayed true to the brotherhood, but ultimately was driven to do the right thing - even when it wasn’t the right thing.
That last one borders on what Dave Grossman was talking about. Does Jim Street ever actually break the law? Not that I can recall. Whether or not he acts in an immoral or unethical fashion is a matter for debate. He backs his partner and doesn’t “give him up” to the brass. In my opinion, his partner, Gamble, was a jerk and Street should have walked away from the partnership - even if he didn’t do it in a way that hurt Gamble’s career. Early in the movie Gamble demonstrates that his commitment to the job isn’t as high as Street’s.
So the question I pose to you is this, and I do hope you’ll take a few minutes to leave some answers:
Who is your role model? Which police television or movie hero do you admire? Please share some answers with a few comments on why.
I often tell people that Jacques Clouseau, Chief Inspector of the Sûreté, is my police hero. This is only partly a joke. What I love about Clousea is his dedication to his job. Even though he messes everything up, he takes being a policeman with deadly seriousness and he never gives up on a case.
Frank:
It’s “role”…. Unless you’re talking about Chief Wiggum, in which case “Sweet Roll” or “Donut” apply….
That aside, I always liked Skipp Sudduth’s “John Sullivan” on “Third Watch”. With a few side trips, his character seems very close to most of the older LEO’s that I’ve met or worked with over the years. “Seen it all, solve problems, get home alive….” Dan Travanti’s role on “Hill Street Blues”, although a “suit”, is pretty much the same thing.
And, let’s not forget “Columbo”…. Not exactly reality, but fun….
Regards,
Stu.
I always looked up to my Dad and Ronald Reagan. They have both since passed away. Now? Maybe John McClain from Die Hard?
I would agree with Stu about Third Watch’s John Sullivan, Skipp Sudduth portrayed a very real street wise cop. IF anyone has seen Hot Fuzz, Police Constable Nicholas Angel is another good cop role model.
I’ve always admired Eliot Ness, even though the movie character has been fictionalized, because he was willing to stand up to a corrupt system without compromise.
What about Robocop? He was dismantled, blown up, reprogramed but he still did the right thing (remember it was a fiction future). For me, it will always be John Wayne. No matter what character he portrayed, he was always what a man should be.
Being from a law enforcement family, my choices for roll models were clear. I, of course choose Goofy. Seriously, I had it / have it easy. My Uncles, Cousins and friends all work in law enforcement. We learn from each other as we lean on each other. Roll models should be your fellow officer, your sergeant or your (god forbid) chief. Good luck and stay safe.
I have always like the vice detective Sonny Crockett from the original TV show, “Miami Vice”. The person was flawed as we all are, but he never gave up on the job and did the right thing. Take away all the “glamour” of the show and put his character into real life, I would be glad to work with him.
I would have to agree with John Sullivan from Third Watch. That show is what got me into police work, and I always knew that I would have a “John Sullivan” to look up to. My first FTO was named Steve though…. I HAVE seen HOT FUZZ, and some of my co-workers put a picture of Constable Angel on my locker. Another story for another time.
DClint Eastwood as the US Marshal in Hang ‘Em High.
Andre Braugher’s charecter Pembleton from “Homicide, Life on the Street”
Having been in the business 35 years, I have not really found one portrayed that I would emulate. All of the aforementioned characters had some admiral traits and qualities, but the cops that are role models to me are simply the ones that believe in Christ, put their families’ above all else, and have genuine compassion for their colleagues and the people that they serve. They say what they mean, and mean what they say.
I have to ask how you all feel about Wyatt Earp? At least in all the presentations I’ve seen he’s been portrayed as a man true to the law and as good as his word. Your thoughts?
I always liked Tommy Lee Jones’ U.S. Marshal character in “The Fugitive”. A little over the top, but honest and compelling. Don Cheadle as a DEA agent in “Traffic” was good, too. However, my all-time fave? “Sledgehammer”!!!
John “Sully” Sullivan from Third Watch would be the only “role model” I could think of. As a career LEO and now a training sergeant with my agency, I have used a line of his with new officer’s many times, because it is the ultimate truth. Our position is that of a problem solver, which is what he told “Ty” in Season 1. We are problem solvers, we go from job to job (or call to call) solving problems. If we encounter a battery, we arrest the perpetrator. A drunk driver, child molester, arsonist, etc. we arrest them, write a detailed report and do what we can to solve the problem the victim has. I always felt like the show was the closest to making the general public see what law enforcement was really like, as far as cop shows go. The characters were not perfect, beautiful stars, they were flawed individuals who did the best they could in their given situation. Thats not to say there wasn’t a lot of dramatization involved, of course there was, but overall in my opinion, it was the closest most people will ever get to actual law enforcement, and the character Skipp Sudduth played was the best representation of a veteran police officer I think there has been.
if we need a role model then we are in trouble we should be the role models!!!
To answer Frank’s question about Wyatt Earp, he was a lawman of a completely different era. The portrayals of him do show him to true to his word and staying with the law as much was possible back then. It is very difficult to relate to figures from that era given the complete microscope we are under now. But as old west figures go, he near or at the top of the list
wyatt earp was a drunk and a horse thief before he was a lawman.
Sully, hands-down. The quote up above regarding “we solve problems” is something I repeat quite a bit. Bizarre storylines aside, the day-in/day-out John Sullivan is what I view a seasoned cop to be.
I think he was the best character from what was the best show. Third Watch DVD’s are out, for those who are interested.
I always liked Capt. Frank Furillo from Hill Street Blues. He knew when to hard-nose the street types and his own command, as well as when to use compassion. His personal life was flawed by alcoholism and divorce, yey he kept up a relationship with the very attractive Ms. Davenport.