THE POLICEMAN

Produced by Encyclopedia Britannica, this scripted film from 1954 is titled “The Policeman (Second Edition)” follows the story of family man and hardworking Officer Barnes. While the story focuses on Barnes and his role at the local police department during a typical day, the film goes on to illuminate the other roles and duties of other officers at the station. The film was made as part of Encyclopedia Britannica Films in collaboration with Ernest Horn, Ph.D. State University of Iowa and Hal Kopel as producer. The film appears to have been shot in Highland Park, Iowa, as evidenced by the police car seen at the 6:22 mark.


00:00 Mother, toddler, and police officer dad sit around breakfast table (0:32). Children come and say bye to their father while he gets his uniform on (1:14). Panning shot of police department building with voice over detailing typical day at the department (1:43). Police officers greet each other (1:49). Men line up for roll call and receive tasks for the day, one officer gets tasks for the uniform patrol division (2:07). Sign for police traffic division (2:49). Harley Davidson police bike in the foreground and traffic cop directing traffic in the background (2:57). Policeman using a call box (3:11). Traffic officer intervening in road collision (3:22). Sign for the detective bureau (3:37). Detectives discussing evidence with each other (3:43). Officer fingerprints and photographs a suspect (3:49). Sign for crime prevention: juvenile and probation division unit (4:20). Police officer organizing a youth baseball game for Wilmette Police team in Illinois (4:38). Chief of police in a meeting in his office (4:50). Police training courses (5:03-5:25). Officer Barnes on duty at a school talking to a young man (5:36). The officer gets into a patrol car to go investigate what the boy reported (5:53). They arrive at an empty lot and retrieve a bike (6:00). Bike brought to the patrol car which is for the Highland Park Police Department (6:21). Police radio operator (6:40). Shots from perspective of passenger in patrol car as the officers ride to return the bike to owner (7:27). Officer speaking with people about complaints (7:38). Police pursuit of vehicle (8:00). Officer writing up a ticket (9:03). Kids standing around on an unattended bulldozer (9:18). Officer helps one of the kids down who is stuck (9:38). Officer Barnes’ kids play in front yard and wait for him to come home (10:21).


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