The Houston Policeman: Man in the Middle (c. 1977)

Duration: 38:45:00

Year Published: c. 1977

Sound: sound

Description: Produced by the A-V Corporation for the Houston Police Department’s Community Relations Division, this 1970s government film seeks to promote and educate the viewer about the city’s police force. The film first documents how one becomes an officer, following cadets through training and instruction at the Houston Police Academy. Once the cadets become patrol officers, the film joins them as they respond to various dramatized calls. Throughout, the film calls attention to the negative attitudes and danger that Houston police face in the course of duty. This appeal to respect law enforcement and improve community relations came at a time when the Houston Police Department encountered increased scrutiny for its use of deadly force as well as two high-profile cases of police violence: the throwdown shooting of Randall Webster in February 1977 and the assault and drowning of José Campos Torres in May 1977. The Webster and Torres cases prompted the Houston Police Department to create its Internal Affairs Division later that year.