... a journey on the wrong side of the tracks' (Screenonline, 2005). The portrayal of the police on television has generally shown to be positive with the 'cops normally catching the robbers' (Croall, 2005), yet there have been many occasions where stereotyping, corruption and the 'bungling incompetence of officers' (Croall, 2005) has prevailed. Reiner (1992) claims that the media represent four specific characters in police dramas: The 'bobby' - a professional street officer The 'new centurion' - crime fighting, action seeking law enforcer The 'uniform carrier' - a burn out, cynical street cop who will not advance in promotion. Avoids real /policing trouble but talks about it. The 'professional' - an upwardly mobile officer who is very idealistic, rarely stays long in the same job and can present themselves in the most desirable manner to superiors. Throughout the past fifty years there have been many hugely successful police drama's, which have all served to portray the police in ...

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