The Myth of Competitive Law Enforcement: Real-Life Cooperation vs. TV Dramas

Many viewers of crime and detective television shows and movies often assume that law enforcement agencies are in constant competition with each other. While drama is necessary to hook audiences, this portrayal is far from reality. In actuality, law enforcement agencies often cooperate and collaborate to achieve their goals. This article explores the reality behind the glamorous and often competitive depiction of law enforcement in media.

Law Enforcement Cooperation: Proving the Myth Untrue

During an investigative process, it is common to see agencies portrayed as jockeying for cases and in fierce competition with each other to grab media attention. However, in reality, the relationships between agencies are often quite the opposite. Let's delve into a real-world example that dispels the myth of competitive law enforcement.

A Real-Life Example

I was leading an investigation into a probable kidnapping, and due to the wealthy and prominent nature of the family involved, the case quickly became a media sensation. Initially, I was the only individual responsible for conducting the morning media briefings for the public. These briefings were attended by reporters and half a dozen TV cameras, making it challenging to manage the chaos.

Just a few days into the investigation, another potential kidnapping was reported, and it was uncertain where the victim had last been seen. A team of officers was assembled to search, and they eventually found the body of the victim outside the city limits. Initially, the sheriff's office attempted to claim jurisdiction over the case, but we politely declined to take it on. The sheriff's detectives were then tasked with working on the case.

During one of my media sessions, a reporter asked a poignant question: "Are we working as hard for the poor victim in the shrinks' case as for the wealthy victim in our case?" This question brought to light a significant difference in the resources being allocated to each case. I was glad to explain to the reporter that the responsibilities for the second case lay with the sheriff's office, and it was not within my purview to discuss their methods or resources.

Incident Command and Agency Priorities

While media depictions may suggest competition, law enforcement agencies have their own priorities and operational structures. The Multi-Agency Intelligence Battalion (MIB) has the option of incident command for terrestrial affairs, while the Federation assigns a Starfleet agency for everything else, unless it's a Directive Enforcement matter. This ensures that agencies have clear roles and responsibilities, and they can focus on their specific areas of expertise.

Why Drama in Media?

One of the primary reasons behind the competitive portrayal in television and movies is the need to build tension and drama among the characters. If everyone cooperated and there was a smooth interagency relationship, the heroes would not stand out as special. Consequently, they would not need to take risks or cut corners, making their missions less exciting.

However, it's important to note that some agencies are more than happy to have another agency take on a case. This collaboration saves them time, expense, and potential negative exposure. For instance, many small police departments lack the resources to investigate complex cases on their own. By coordinating and passing the responsibility, they can maintain a sense of unity and effectiveness within the law enforcement community.

Conclusion

While the competitive portrayal of law enforcement in television and movies may make for entertaining and gripping storytelling, it does not accurately reflect the real-world dynamics of law enforcement agencies. In reality, cooperation and collaboration are the norm, ensuring that investigations are conducted efficiently and effectively. The key takeaway is that viewers should not rely solely on media portrayals when forming opinions about the reality of law enforcement.

Key Takeaways

Law enforcement agencies usually cooperate and collaborate rather than compete with each other. The competitive portrayal in media is often exaggerated for dramatic effect. Cooperation among agencies is crucial for efficient and effective investigations.

By understanding the reality behind law enforcement, we can better appreciate the challenges and cooperation that underpin public safety efforts.