Armed police seem to be a real staple of even the gentlest police and crime dramas these days. And why not - armed officers are highly trained, equipped with all sorts of rifles, handguns and other exciting looking kit, and they perform a vital role, dealing with some of the most violent and dangerous offenders in society.
These dramas often portray the excitement of armed police smashing down doors and running into a building, pointing guns at everyone in there, lots of shouting, screaming and brouhaha.
It makes great TV, of course - but almost never happens.
Armed police usually let people inside a premises know they’re there (sometimes by breaking down the door!) and then wait for people to come out in a controlled way. It’s much safer, but much less exciting on telly!
As a Police Advisor, I absolutely understand that directors of Film and TV productions have to strike the balance between reality and the needs of the drama. However, there are always things that productions don’t get quite right - sometimes, very easy things to avoid/fix! I'll be posting these occasionally, as they occur to me - enjoy!
Could your next Film or TV production benefit from a Police Advisor? Please get in touch for a free, no obligation chat about how I might be able to help your production look and feel authentic, without holding up the story!