by Jack
Today I was reminded what it was like when I was a cop, and by a very unlikely source, a Hollywood movie!
“End of Watch” starring Michael Pena and Jake Gyllenhaal as two beat cops is an action thriller, but it’s done very realistically. They actors come across very believable. The calls they take, the salty talk while riding around, the sudden pursuits, the violent arrests…all looked credible.
This movie showed what it’s really like in terms of the cop fraternity, their dark humor, the practical jokes and the uncommon bravery that was never all that uncommon.
Civilians have no idea how many times a good street cop risks his life..literally. Almost any cop could be awarded a medal for heroism if he’s been around a few years, that’s just the nature of the job.
A cop sees more of life in 5 years than 10 people will see in an entire lifetime. There are so many situations that street cops come across, some are bone chilling, some are ridiculously funny, some really sad, some are gut wrenching or some just make you want to puke. This movie showed it all, they really nailed it to the point I found myself having flashbacks when I wore that blue uniform.
The movie portrays two young, street-wise cops, too young to be jaded by the system. On patrol they joke around, but their eyes are searching the streets, always looking, looking, looking. It’s what cops do, they’re always alert to their surroundings and those that don’t, they don’t last.
In the movie they find action in a burning house, a missing person’s report, in the projects and especially in a cartel safe house and then there is the slow time in between.
The shoot em up stuff was over the top, but that’s to be expected…it was a movie made to be entertaining. But, what wasn’t made up or exaggerated was the thin dividing line between what could be a deadly confrontation and just another call.
I don’t envy today’s officers, they’ve got a real tough job.
This movie gets 4 out of 5 stars.
I have never worked in or around law enforcement, but I got a fairly good scanner a few years ago. It is the only “reality show” I have ever followed besides “Cops” and “America’s Most Wanted”.
It is unbelievable what BCSO, Chico PD, CHP, and Chico FD have to deal with on a daily basis. I could never do that kind of work, even when a young man.
Now I am a cantankerous old fart, thanks to police and emergency services who responded quick enough when I was the victim of a violent crime in my twenties that left me permanently maimed and partially paralyzed. They saved my life. God bless them all. These sort of people do a very difficult job and they do it professionally. You have to admire that sort of dedication and courage.
I can’t say the same for the judicial and detention system. My assailant got off with a deal and then the incarceration system failed and mistakenly let him go after he committed another crime. They were informed of his deal breaking which would have sent him to prison for 5-15 years, but released him any way and he disappeared.
So it goes. He is probably dead by now. I hope he has a special place in hell since he turned my entire adult life into a living hell by mistaking me for someone he wanted to murder.
I haven’t even seen the film, but already I give it five stars.
Thank God he didnt succeed Pie. You would be sorely missed here at PS and Im sure in the rest of your world.
Im also sure God has given him his just rewards.
The movie “2016” is now on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tDY6v8KdSYs
Also, there is a new news channel on Dish Satellite 212 called Blaze.
What an amazing case of survival, Pie. Thank you for sharing your personal story and insight into the service aspect of the job done by our men and women in blue.
I haven’t seen the film yet but I’m sure I will after reading Jacks review.