It's not an easy job, but I enjoy it. I've a lot of friends...
0h, smart car!
Friends see it on the telly and think it's glamorous,
racing around arresting drug dealers, but it's not like that... Well, sometimes.
7.30 am in Northampton, and David Knight is on his way to work.
"Prime Suspect" was good.
She's 50, what's-her-name, plays the... erm...
50! Blimey! What is her name?
Unlike most people going to work, he's no idea what the day will bring.
Turning left without signalling, are we? Fair enough.
Coming back out.
She did that airline advert. A posh voice.
Although, it wasn't really her legs. They used someone else's.
Still...
Being PE trained, I could've gone into leisure management, but, you know...
At 28, David's 22 years younger than Helen Mirren,
but he's already halfway through his third year as a police constable.
Unlike most people, I've no idea what the day will bring.
Does that make you feel apprehensive about what may happen?
I don't know that yet. I've no idea. That's what I'm saying.
In such a high-profile job, appearances are crucial.
It's very stylish. Fellas at the gym got them and I thought, "Neat!"
People are surprised when they see it and find out what I do, but I like that.
Woman go mad for it. My girlfriend thinks it's great.
Do you get your own helmet or from a helmet shop?
- You can turn round. - I'm fine.
This isn't just turning up for work.
The day begins with a ritual transformation
every bit as significant as that undertaken by a minister or a clown.
This fits in here. Quite handy.
It's actually longer and slimmer than a truncheon.
You can turn round. I mean, I've finished.
Oh, yes. Oh, that is long, isn't it? Isn't it heavy?
It's made of plastic, light but very strong. Here.
Let's... Oh, yes.
- Very good. - I hardly ever use it.
- Just put the knife down, sonnyl - What?
Sorry.
I hardly ever use it, but it's good to know it's there.
Remember how you felt the first time in uniform?
- No. - No? Right.
Minutes ago, he was an ordinary man.
But with the uniform of the uniform on, he's become PC 475,
with all that those numbers imply.
- 0ff now, Dave? - 0n my way, Sergeant.
- Be careful, it's boring out there. - (WPC) More tea. It's no trouble.
I've had too much already.
If you stumble across Triad vice rings, please call for back-up.
- What about a biscuit? - No, I'm watching my figure.
- Bourbons. - No, thanks.
- Jane adds the glamour to all our lives. - Sarge is just kidding.
Really, he's just kidding. He doesn't mean it.
- No. Are they milk chocolate ones? - (DAVE) Let's do it!
Today's a long day for Dave.
As well as his own shift, he's doing an extra shift
as a favour to a colleague whose wife is conceiving a baby.
They don't appreciate the money put into education.
They need a good kick up the arse.
Round by Tesco's, near the cab rank, nothing but condoms!
Altogether, it will be 12 hours of being on display,
on guard and en garde.
It says behind the multi-storey and near the river.
Sorry, but there isn't a cathedral in Northampton.
- What's this here, then? - That's a map of Norwich.
For a young single fella, it's a great job, but some married fellas find it tough.
What will happen when you get older?
Maybe I will have a biscuit.
Sorry, that was the last one.
- You've had all three? - Yeah. Sorry.
That's 0K.
- Do you think about getting older? - No.
The day's first challenge is a shop alarm going off since the early hours.
There are no signs of a break-in, and the owner's away.
We can't do a lot till we find the owner.
The fat bastard won't give a toss!
The mother in the flat above wants the problem rectified.
...third time in the last fuckin' week!
This is the third time, and she's feeling weak.
...what is the point of a fuckin' police force, then?
Use your fuckin' truncheon!
- Because she's short of sleep, she's tired. - It's doing my fuckin' head in!
And worse still, there are problems with her head.
- What was visibility like? - I dunno, it was difficult to see.
- So, poor, then? - Yeah... windy.
At the station, Jane is taking an accident report from a motorist
involved in a minor traffic crash incident.
- Can you estimate your speed? - Yeah, I've a speedometer.
What was your speed at the time of the accident?
- What time was that? - You already said it was 7.30.
- But he just stopped in front of me. - So what speed were you doing?
When I hit him? Nought.
0K. Now we're getting somewhere.
- (RADl0) X-Ray to Hotel Whisky 475. - 475, go ahead.
Can you do a 10.3 in the shopping precinct?
- Right, 0K. - A wallet's gone missing.
0n my way. 0ver.
- Thank you, 475. 0ver. - A 10-3?
- (RADl0) Have you lost that bloke? - No, he's still with us.
- (RADl0) He's still with him. - Can you tell us what that was about?
It's a myth that the police are slow. It's just a myth.
I meant are you allowed to, not are you able to.
0h, right. I misunderstood. It's all quite simple.
- Not because it has to be. - It's a 10-code.
- If you're on 10-1, it's "general patrol". - I see.
- A 10-2 is "phone somewhere". - Highly complex.
- A 10-3 is "physically go somewhere". - I see. Right.
A 10-4 is "go somewhere really quickly"?
Is it?
How do you know that? I've never heard 10-4.
God! Imagine what a 10-5 must be like!
It's a big area to look after, if you consider we've only ten officers in the field.
- Each marker's an officer? - No, that'd be impossible.
Every time we moved a pin, an officer would have to shoot across town.
- It'd be chaos! They'd be run ragged! - Ridiculous.
- So what are the markers? - We've had a spate of break-ins.
We've just had another one. We think it's an organised outfit.
So I'm putting it up here to see if a pattern emerges.
- Is there a pattern emerging? - Yeah, looks like it.
I think it's a rabbit.
These'd be the ears.
Oh, yes...
Black leather, quite nice. A big purse with a wallet.
- (MAN) Almost completely full. - Who'd want a load of Italian lire?
- What use is it to them? - Sorry, I'm not a policeman.
- Anything apart from foreign currency? - Yes, tons!
Some cash, credit cards, cheque book, I think.
- You mentioned some youths? - Yes.
- Could you describe them? - Comfortably well-off. Seriously cashed.
- Did you skid or not? - Yeah, I skidded, definitely.
- Right. Any idea how far? - All the way into the back of him.
Yes, but how long was that distance?
I dunno, it was very windy.
This room we're in now is ten foot long. Does that help?
Ten foot? How long's that?
Technology's changed the way we work, but there's no substitute for a good nose.
- It just makes things easier, that's all. - Yeah... erm?
- What? - Are all those pages blank?
- Yeah, they are. - Right...
We're running low on fax paper and we can't afford to,
so I've phoned up a colleague over at Kettering,
and they're faxing me a load of spare paper.
- Quite clever, really. - Yeah... yeah... goodl
Are you seeing Wiggy now? Chief Inspector Carpenter.
- Why do you call him Wiggy? - I've never understood it.
(BLEEPING) Bugger! Now what's happened?
I hope they haven't run out of paper their end.
Right. I apologise for keeping you waiting. George Carpenter.
I'll have a word with the sergeant, then I'll be with you.
- Would you like to go on ahead? - Pardon?
George Carpenter has been in the force for 25 years.
Starting off as a new recruit, the common route into the force,
he rose through the ranks to his current rank of Chief Inspector.
I regard most of the changes I've seen as overwhelmingly for the better.
I'm an advocate of further change.
That's not fashionable political correctness. I say it with a hard head.
- You find that surprising? - Not at all.
What sort of changes?
The main change is that we can no longer assume automatic respect.
Every officer has to earn that respect afresh each day.
Was it ever genuine respect or was there an element of fear involved?
- I think that's splitting hairs. - (SUPPRESSED LAUGH)
You don't agree?
They amount to almost the same thing. Teachers have had a similar experience.
We're no longer a nation that tugs our forelock.
- He just stopped. - You'd no time to stop?
I had time, but he was too close. It was the distance.
About the height of a man and as long as this room.
But were you aware of why the vehicle in front stopped?
- Why he stopped? - Yeah.
- There was a zebra crossing. - Think that took him by surprise?
Not a real zebra.
A body of opinion in the force argued strongly for the arming of officers,
but that hasn't happened, and I think that's right.
- Is there a likelihood of it happening? - I think it's receding fast.
(SUPPRESSED LAUGHTER)
- Are you all right? - (GASPS) Yes... I'm fine.
Sorry, it's just some sort of... a hay fever thing.
So the current situation is that no officers carry guns?
Right, but we have certain officers weapons-trained,
and we have a special unit, the TSG.
- What does that stand for? - They won't stand for anything.
Who decides whether or not to call in this tough, silent group?
That decision is left to senior police officers like myself.
Does that responsibility weigh heavily on your... any part of you?
It's better that this is decided by someone with experience and expertise,
rather than by some external, and less well-informed big-wig!
It's not something I just do off the top of my head.
(SUPPRESSED LAUGHTER)
This really sorts you out.
Depending on my shifts, I come here most days.
Does it help in your job, once you've stopped smoking?
How?
If you have to chase someone who's running uphill.
I think it's good to keep in shape.
- There's no point in being fat and ugly. - No, never.
Dave has finished his morning shift and has an hour off.
That's good, good.
- I pushed myself on the rowing machine. - I don't blame you.
I didn't know you could do that. How does that work?
Hiya! Nice shorts!
- They're all right, aren't they? - You could crack nuts with these!
- This is Zo�, my girlfriend. - Hiya!
In case you're wondering how she got a body like that, she works here.
- Hiya! - Hello. Good.
- Is it true what they say about policemen? - What?
- You know what they say. - She probably doesn't.
0h, that? I don't know why you're asking with them shorts!
What shorts?
- I'll go with him. - But you're finished.
- I don't mind. - I'll be 0K.
- (SARGE) Have a woman with you. - I'm a woman. It's standard practice.
(SARGE) Dave?
All right. Meet you out the back.
Let's get out there and do it!
Just as Dave's due to go on his second shift,
a report's come in of a domestic, a common call-out,
and the police codeword for domestic argument.
We work well together. Good chemistry. He's a good cop. No shit!
We're a good team, we can work in shorthand.
- I think it says "Push". - Yep. Right.
- (THUMP!) - Ooh, Godl
A neighbour next door has reported hearing the sounds of raised voices
and a woman screaming and crying.
(JANE) Straight incline 400 yards!
Then long hairpin right, right! 273 degrees at end!
(DAVE) Yeah, it's a mini-roundabout.
I'm not looking to settle down, because life's too short.
This is ideal for me.
It's a very macho world, has that been a problem for you as a woman?
I don't see myself as a woman. At work, I mean.
I'm a police officer like any other. The skirt's neither here nor there.
0bviously, if you put a lot of bright, single, ambitious young people
in a high-pressured environment, things will happen.
We go through a lot together.
Dave and I probably know each other better than if we were married.
- Can that affect outside relationships? - 0utside relationships?
Do you think Dave's girlfriend is jealous of you?
His girlfriend? Dave hasn't got a girlfriend.
- Well... - He hasn't got one.
Oh, right, I see. That's all right, then.
- Better look smart and neat. - (JANE) You look great!
- Can't tell how people will react. - It's good to have a woman here.
- Just in case. People can get funny. - Can they?
- Do you need to go in front of me? - Yeah, I do.
- Jesus (BLEEP!) Christ! - PC Knight and WPC Thorpe, sir.
- What's going on? - Just a quick word with your wife.
- My wife? - Can we come in?
You've no right to come in. Got a warrant?
It's your wife we'd just like to have a quick chat with.
No fuc... (BLEEP!) warrant, you're not coming in!
- I'm not actually a policeman. - Who are you?
- It's Roy Mallard. Hello. - Who?
Just pretend we're not here.
Aye.
Erm... sorry.
We're asking for your help.
Having gained the husband's trust, the next fence to climb is that of the wife's.
They work as a team, David with the husband, Jane with the wife.
You don't have to say anything, but I need to know that you're all right.
- Who (BLEEP!) phoned? - I can't tell you that.
- It was next door, wasn't it? That side. - No, it wasn't them.
Jane knows she's straddling a tightrope between professional distance
and personal distance.
- You won't believe it, but I'm on your side. - I am, too. Very much so.
Just to satisfy myself, then,
you're saying you haven't been screaming or crying this afternoon?
0r sort of sobbing? That's all I need to know.
Look, I'm noisy sometimes, all right? What's it got to do with her?
- Right. Noisy. - Yeah! She doesn't have to listen!
Are you trying to tell me something?
Lee came home, the kids are at school, it's the only chance we get!
Sometimes I get noisy. Satisfied now?
No. Sorry, you've lost me.
- We were having sex! - 0K...
So why would anyone think you were screaming or sobbing?
- Are you (BLEEP!) stupid? - No, it's a myth.
- You never had sex? I'm talking to her. - Sorry.
Mrs White, this isn't about me, it's about you.
My hunch is you're trying to tell me something.
I don't believe this! You're not married, are you?
- I'm not allowed to tell you that. - You married? Can you expl?
- Really? - Yes.
- Can you explain it to her? - Erm...
I just explained to your husband, I'm not actually a policeman.
475, go ahead.
- (RADl0) Waste of time? 0ver. - Yeah, false alarm.
- Thought it would be. - Just a screamer.
- (INAUDIBLE) - Yeah, I know.
Screamer, eh? Screamer!
Should have seen her coming!
(JANE) You can turn right in a minute and cut through.
The character of the afternoon has changed dramatically.
(JANE) Yes, here! Right! Right! Right! Way to go!
- It's one-way! Is it wide enough? - 0ne way to find out!
- (DAVE) Repeat, we can see him. - (RADl0) Thank you, 475.
- 475 over and out. - Are we there yet?
An employee of an insurance company has got onto the roof of his office block
and is threatening to jump, unless his demands for a fuller life are met.
Dave and Jane have arrived first.
Stuart Hopkins, senior manager. I've called an ambulance.
- Right. 0K. Good. - It's possibly some sort of stunt.
Actually he's a dull person so I can't see that.
(DAVE) Get these people out of the way.
(JANE) Come on, please, there's nothing to look at yet!
- We don't need people rubber-necking. - That is very high upl
- How long's he been there? - 20 minutes, which is a positive sign.
As long as he doesn't jump, in which case it's quite ominous.
Single guy, quiet, lives on his own. Keeps himself to himself.
- Any recent behaviour that explains it? - No, it's completely out of character.
Apparently he never normally goes higher than the fourth floor.
- Are we moving? - No, we might not be.
- Press it again, please. - Of course. Top floor.
- What number was that? - The top one.
Dave has reached the point of no return, if things go really badly.
He's still there. Not moved much.
Sometimes he hunches closer to the edge. It's a nightmare!
It's really high up here, isn't it?
You all stay here for the moment. Including you.
You can't tell how they'll react.
I'll stay well away. Near the wall.
(DAVE) Right... 0K.
Hello, there!
It's a situation some police officers never face in their careers,
and Dave knows he's only one chance to get it right or not at all.
- What's happened? - So far, so good.
He's pleased with the attention, which is what it's about. He wants to talk.
That's good, as long as he doesn't go on, 'cause he can be dull.
- I told him about you being here. - Fine. We'll go back down.
- No. It was a long shot, but he went for it. - Went for what?
It's logical. What he wants most is to be heard.
- And so here you are. - Yeah?
How are you with heights?
(STAMMERS) Fine... yeah.
- Take that. Come on, then. - Erm...
0ff! 0ver there, now!
0ver there! 0ver there!
Dave's operating outside the guidelines of any police suicide manual.
Facing a scenario for which there is no script, he has only his hunch.
Richard, this is...
- It's 0K, you can come closer. - I'm OK here, thanksl
It's all right, Richard, isn't it? We don't mind?
Really, it's fine. Come and join us.
Right.
OK...
So, Richard... this is Roy.
Hi... I meant "hello", I didn't mean...
If you don't want to say anything, that's fine. We can just sit here.
- OK, thanks. - Richard, I mean.
Dave's initial gamble has paid off.
Richard may be wary and suspicious but, significantly, hasn't killed himself.
From now on, it's all about trust, nerve and altitude.
(DAVE) It's not a bad way to spend the afternoon. It beats work!
You can see the station from here. That's amazing!
It all looks so different.
- Can you see it? - No.
(RICHARD) I know what you're trying to do, but I am going to jump.
I know what they think of me. I'm not mad or anything.
- (DAVE) You can set the record straight. - I could take it if they made fun of me.
I could accept that. But just ignoring me!
Well, tell them. You're in complete control here.
- Think of the impact you'd make. - He doesn't mean jumping...
Right, 0K. Let's just stay calm about this, Richard.
Now you're doing it. I am calm and don't patronise me!
What's all this "Richard" stuff? You don't know me!
Stay where you are! Don't come any nearer!
- I'm not! - You bastard!
Leave me alone! Let me go!
- All right! - Leave me alone!
- It's all right! - Oh, be careful.
- It's all right, man! - Leave me alone!
- 0h, my God! - Oh, dear... right...
(RADl0) X-Ray 2 to 475.
- 0h, my God! - I'm sure he's all right.
- I'm sure he's fine. - I've never hit anyone in my life before!
No, of course not. It's perfectly natural. You were feeling jumpy...
- No, I don't... no... - Get up, please get up!
(RADl0) X-Ray 2 to 475, come in.
- I don't care, just arrest me! - I'm not actually a policeman.
- I want you to arrest me. - (RADl0) 475, come in.
- We need an ambulance. - There's one down... Oh, don't lookl
Do you know how to use this thing? Tell them I want to confess.
- I'm feeling a bit faint, actually. - Tell them!
Right. OK.
Hello?
- I think I can hear him breathing. - This is Hotel Whistling Mallard. Over.
- He's breathing. - (RADl0) Dave?
It's Roy Mallard, that's "R" for Roy, "O" for aubergine, "Y" for...
- Thank God, thank God! ..."Y" for wife.
It's funny, you know, this morning...
- Bloody hell! Steady on, Jane! - (RADl0) 475, come in.
Put that out, please.
This is Hotel Whisky 194.
- (RADl0) Go ahead, Mike. - Get the ambulance, it's carnage up here.
- Is he all right? - I'm sure he's fine. I'm feeling a bit...
- It's the light, the heat. - Dave, it's Jane. It's Jane.
- We'll put this bastard away for life! - I think I'm going... ooh...
- It's all right, I've got some Jaffa Cakes. - Sorry...
(MIKE) 0h, brilliant!
Policing in the 90s has changed from the world of Dixon of Dock Green,
where villains were villains and the police were clearly actors.
Today, like other institutions such as the royal family and dentistry,
the police have been demythologised and perhaps all too human.
In some ways it's comforting to know
that the police are people like us under their uniforms.
- What's his name again? - Mallard. Roy Mallard.