ABC NEWS CLOSE-UP: THE SHATTERED BADGE (TV)

Summary

One in this series of irregularly scheduled documentaries. This program, hosted by Paul Altmeyer, examines the psychological and emotional stress experienced by American police officers, and the resulting dangers posed to them and to the general public.

Altmeyer opens the program by noting that police officers have higher-than-average rates of suicide, addiction, and divorce, as seen in the Detroit Police Department, the country's fifth largest. Officer Doug Heady describes having "no outlet" to discuss the violent and disturbing things he's witnessed on the job, explaining that he was profoundly traumatized after firing his gun for the first time and met only a "that's your problem" response at work. Cynthia Thomas recalls her sense of disgust upon becoming a "local celebrity" and receiving a gold watch after killing a criminal who endangered her partner, and Gary LeBlanc explains that seeking psychological help through the Personnel Bureau, where confidentiality rules are questionable, comes with a heavy stigma.

In Philadelphia, A.D.A. George Parry describes how former Mayor and Police Commissioner Frank Rizzo's aggressive policies created an undisciplined environment in which cops are supported "no matter what," leading to significantly higher rates of shootings and violent encounters with citizens than in the NYPD, according to a 1975-1978 study. Rizzo's successors, Mayor William J. Green III and Police Commissioner Morton B. Solomon, are trying to implement stricter "deadly force directives," leading to controversy, particularly after the September 1980 death of Officer Gary Farrell. Parry explains that police have received several conflicting versions of their new instructions, leading to more confusion; Tom Garvey of the Fraternal Order of Police argues that cops are "the only visible arm of government after 5 p.m." and must therefore have broad freedoms to do their work. Police psychologist Dr. John Fraunces describes his presence as the "best-kept secret" in the department, as very few officers seek his help, and is surprised to hear that those who get private counseling must turn over the records to their superiors.

Altmeyer then examines racial disparities, explaining that in August 1980, an unarmed black teen, William Green, was killed by white Philadelphia Officer John Ziegler after an extended chase in a stolen car; following a significant public outcry, Ziegler was suspended and charged with murder. Ziegler, who hails from the working-class Kensington neighborhood, describes extensive violence and poverty in North Philadelphia, and though he denies having an excessively violent nature, Altmeyer finds that Ziegler was sued for attacking his ex-wife's new partner. No significant action was taken by the department, and Ziegler denies any wrongdoing. As Green's mother Alberta and his grandmother lament the cops' unassailable authority and point out that Green could have been arrested without violence, Ziegler says only that he's "sorry it happened" and blames Green's behavior for his death.

Detroit Police Chief William Hart blames the recent rash of cop suicides on "family problems" rather than on workplace issues. (Hart was convicted of embezzlement a decade later.) Stress expert William Kroes compares the untreated problem to a fast-growing cancer; in Boston, a former officer turned counselor hosts informal "Cop to Cop" talking sessions, in which officers are invited to discuss their problems openly. At one such meeting, a black officer describes being called a "traitor" by his fellow black Americans, and another describes his anger at his longtime undercover case not even making it to trial. The cops agree that suicides and other tragedies are preventable, and one man suggests that the department "builds human bombs" with its dangerous policies and unrealistic expectations. Commercials deleted.

Preservation of the Post–World War II American Television Documentary Collection is supported in part by a Federal Save America’s Treasures grant administered by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: 1980 10:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:49:41
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:38402
• GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
• SUBJECT HEADING: Public affairs/Documentaries; News; Education/Information; Talk/Interview; Police officers; Suicide; Police brutality
• SERIES RUN: N/A
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Pamela Hill … Executive Producer
• Richard Richter … Senior Producer
• Paul Altmeyer … Producer, Writer
• Eileen Russell … Associate Producer
• Richard Leonard … Associate Producer
• Pat Cook … Director
• Paul Altmeyer … Host
• Doug Heady … Interviewee
• Cynthia Thomas … Interviewee
• Gary LeBlanc … Interviewee
• George Parry … Interviewee
• Tom Garvey … Interviewee
• John Fraunces … Interviewee
• John Ziegler … Interviewee
• Alberta Green … Interviewee
• William Hart … Interviewee
• William Kroes … Interviewee
• Gary Farrell
• William Green
• William J. Green III
• Frank Rizzo
• Morton B. Solomon