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Working with Police, Not Against
by Joe RipplePart time filmmaker, full-time Baltimore Police Officer Joe Ripple wrote the following in response to a thread on the site message boards. I liked his post so much that I'm reposting this as an article on the site unedited. There are references to items discussed on the boards, please visit them if you need more insite. You can find Joe's movie, HARVESTERS and STAKES at most video stores.
I've read a lot of comments about getting arrested and fake guns and so forth. I'd like to give you my perspective, if I may, because I'm both a police officer and a film maker. Maybe some of this advice will help you out. I'm not advocating that it's ok to break laws here, or saying that following this advice will prevent any encounters with law enforcement, but it may help you to understand how those of us who have to pin a shield on - think.
Rule #1 - Cops want to go home at night.
Weapons. Guns. Knives. Sticks. Hypodermic Syringes. Cops fear all of the above. We will take whatever action is necesary to protect ourselves and each other so we can go home to our families. What you have to understand, is that in moments of stress, cops suffer from a natural emotional response called "tunnel vision." The best way to explain it, is that you may have a scene where an actor is waving a gun around. The crew may be fifteen feet away. The cop who recieves the "Man with a gun" call pulls up...and may not even see...or hear...the crew. He is so focused on the threat, that he won't see or hear you. This is especially true with rookies. It is very important that you follow these guidelines.
1) DO EVERYTHING THE POLICE OFFICER SAYS, WITHOUT QUESTION.
2) Move slowly. Try to remain calm.
3) Don't jerk or spin around real fast.
4) Don't run away.If an Officer has his weapon drawn, he is intent on protecting himself. Remember the tunnel vision...as a member of the crew, trying to get in between the officer and his "threat" will only elevate his anxiety. Joking around and pointing a realistic weapon at him (I know this sounds absolutely ridiculous, but it has happened) will result in a justifiable shooting. Remember that the Officer only needs to articulate the fact that he felt that he was in danger of losing his life or serious bodily harm at the time the shooting took place. Even if the gun was later found to be "fake."
Rule #2 - Cops don't want to be "bothered" -
This means that we'd rather be out searching for armed robbers, drug dealers, child molesters and the like. We hate the fact that old Mrs. Crabapple is complaining that "those crazy kids are filming on my property." If you are approached by a police officer, remember...more than likely someone called on you. The cop MAY have an attitude, not for what you did, but because he got called out for what he believes to be a bullshit call. Be polite, don't be argumentative. When people would argue with me, it would cause me to "pay more attention" to what they were doing...get my meaning? Now, I'm not trying to insult anyone here. But, in our eyes you will never win an argument on the street with us, and being polite goes a long way. Sir/Ma'am are always good words to use. If he tells you that you have to leave, do so immediately. Don't return unless you get the permission to film at the location secured properly. If you come back three hours later without doing so, that's almost a certain ride to the station for trespassing. The cop has told you once. Now, he's received another call, so he's going to make damn sure that he doesn't have to go back out there again.
RULE #3 - Don't you have any common sense?
Ok, folks, here is the big one. I read about the guy jumping off the cliff and only got arrested once for it. I'm not insulting that gentleman at all for this, because I think it would be fun myself. But let me explain how we see it on this side. If a sign says "No Diving From The Cliff," then dammit, that's what it means! And here's why:
Some summbitch jumps from the cliff. He read the sign, but says "Hey...I can do what I want." He jumps, then drowns. Here's what happens next...
Close to fifty police officers, firefighters, a dive team and other rescue personnel have to be called out to try and find that body...maybe several dozen more, depending on the size and depth of the lake. after the body is found, then some unlucky cop has the unfortunate honor of going to tell his family that he's dead. Been there, done that, don't like it. Common sense said don't jump, if he hadn't, all of that would not have been necessary.
Okay...enough preaching. How can I help you to get along with the police, and get your movie made?
Most precincts I've been too have a "roll call" book. This is a book where important information is given to officers before they hit the street. Dropping off information about your shoot a few days beforehand, can help you avoid problems. Information should contain location, time, scene description, and contact phone numbers. The day of the shoot, call the precinct that the shoot is going to occur in and remind the desk officer. When we did our robbery scene for "Harvesters," not only did I call the local county police, but the state police as well.
Cops for hire - Yes, we do need to work part time to help wth our bills and families. Posting a note at a precinct that you are looking for a cop to help out on set can actually save you a lot of headaches. Two things to remember here. Number one, do not think that it is now ok for you to do whatever you want because you have a cop on your crew. Do not put that officer in a position that compromises his ethics, because he will either walk, or he will still arrest you. Secondly, we generally recognize each other. I may not know everyone's name on my department, but I remember faces. If a call is placed, and that officer rolls up and sees a familiar, friendly face, that will make the situation go much better.
You can get an officer to work on your set in plainclothes as an "advisor." We generally work for money that is somewhere similar to our pay scale, so be prepared to pay anywhere from 15 to 25 bucks an hour. Throw that officer a line in the film, and he may work for less. Whatever you can work out.
Like I said, folks, I'm not trying to insult or piss anyone off here, but working with police is sure better than trying to work against 'em.
Please be safe, and I wish you much success.