Original subtitles

This is the city, Los Angeles, California.

With a population of 3 million people, there's always something happening.

Things were slower at the turn of the century.

There were only 100,000 people to worry about,

and there were only 109 policemen to do the worrying.

1933, the automobile was coming into its own.

The 294 men assigned to traffic control processed

11,000 accidents.

In fact, it was getting so crowded,

you couldn't drive your ostrich in the street.

By 1940, the city had more cars than people

and a maze of freeways were beginning to take shape.

To handle the problem, the Department put together

the largest motorcycle police contingent in the world.

Today, the Department is highly mobile.

Los Angeles has less policemen per capita than any other major city in the country.

That makes my job a little tougher.

I carry a badge.

The story you're about to see is true.

The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

It was Monday, May 11th. It was clear in Los Angeles.

We were working out of the Training Division at the Police Academy.

The boss is Captain Vernon Hoy.

My partner's Bill Gannon.

My name's Friday.

In addition to its regular program for training recruit officers,

the academy also trains policewomen.

I was lecturing the cadets as they are called

in criminal law and arrest techniques.

Captain Hoy added another assignment to the schedule.

How's your workload today, Friday?

Well, I got a class in five minutes on preliminary investigation.

This afternoon?

Some office work, grading a few exam papers.

Got a lady author coming in, writer for one of the New York magazines.

She going to do a piece on us, is she?

On the cadets. Careers for the modern woman or something like that.

It was set up though Public Affairs.

Well, then why doesn't Dan Cooke walk her around?

- Anybody know our facilities better than we do? - No, sir.

Besides, I get the idea she's a nitpicker.

- Yeah? - Her name is Lee.

- Dorothy Lee? - That's right.

You read women's magazines, Gannon?

Yes, sir. Well, sometimes.

The wife gets them all. I've read some of the things this Lee woman has written.

- Well, what about them? - I don't know, Skipper.

Makes pretty good reading I guess except for the person she's writing about.

How much do we show her, Captain?

Whatever she wants to see. We don't have anything to hide.

We won't when she's finished.

What's the matter, Friday? Can't you handle it?

- Oh, yes, sir. Don't worry about that. - I won't.

You know, she might turn out to be young and pretty.

Well, now what difference will that make?

A word to the wise, Joe. Watch your step.

Oh, come on. I'm just the guide.

She's writing about careers for women.

There's the danger. Joe, one of these days,

you are gonna make a career for some woman.

The curriculum for policewomen requires 320 hours

including night classes over an eight-week course.

Besides classroom instruction on every phase of police work,

the cadets are given physical training and self-defense,

combat and target shooting,

field trips and field problems,

examination and reviews.

This class would graduate in a little over two weeks.

1:30 p.m. Bill was getting ready for his next lecture

on juvenile work, search and seizure.

I'm looking for a sergeant named Friday.

- Yes, ma'am. - You?

- That's right. - I hope you didn't want your door closed. I leave them open.

That's all right. I'm going right through it. I've got a class in a minute.

- I guess you must be Ms. Lee. - I guess I must be.

This is my partner, Bill Gannon.

- Gannon. - Ms. Lee, welcome to the police academy.

- Please use my desk if you'd like. - Thank you.

Gentlemen, Ms. Lee. Officer Jones, Sergeant Caleb.

Down. My, Friday, you are a leader among men, aren't you?

Suppose I just show you around and then if you have some questions,

we can come back here.

Just a minute, Friday. Let's get started right.

I'm not here for the 40-cent tour and the memorized commentary.

I want to see everything and I want to talk to these girls.

Then I'll form my own opinion.

Well, I wouldn't want to influence that.

- Oh, not a chance. - That's what I figured.

We're a little bitter, aren't we?

Your public relations people are shoving me off on you and you don't like it.

That's all right.

I've never been very high on cops.

- Why is that? - Why is what?

Well, I just wondered why you dislike policemen.

You let me do the interviewing, huh?

The big mystery is why anybody becomes a

policeman or more to the point, a policewoman.

- Do you know? - Yes, ma'am. I think I do.

Two reasons... the job is interesting and it's satisfying.

Now putting people in jail is which... interesting or satisfying?

There's satisfaction in doing a job that has to be done

and to be where it happens is interesting.

I think fun is what you mean.

You're writing it, Ms. Lee.

Have you ever read any of my pieces?

- No, ma'am but my partner has. - He didn't like them.

He thinks you had fun writing them.

On Dorothy Lee's request,

we dispensed with the usual guided tour of the police academy.

1:45 p.m.

We joined the cadets in the classroom.

Now we come to the subject of the cursory search or frisk.

By definition, it's a pat from the outside

but not reaching into the clothing.

The purpose is to determine if the subject is armed.

You also open the purse if it's a female

or even if it isn't to see if it contains a weapon.

Now a detailed search is made only A,

subsequent to a physical arrest,

B, with a search warrant,

or C, with the subject's permission.

I call your attention to this drawing.

What is not a search?

A frisk is not a search and things visible do not constitute a search.

Yes?

Can you tell me the circumstances when a subject gives permission to be searched?

Yes, when she's clean. It's more likely to

happen when it's a room rather than a person.

In that case, search only the area contingent to the search.

Don't pry any deeper than your authorization,

but don't close your eyes to anything obvious.

Thank you, sir.

Yes?

Anderson, sir.

I don't quite follow that last part, Officer Gannon.

Could you give us an illustration?

All right, let's say you have a warrant to search a room for a stolen piano.

Now, if you open a drawer and find a pound of heroin,

it would be illegal to seize it,

the reason being that you didn't really expect

to find the piano in that drawer.

But supposed I found the heroin hidden in the piano?

Then you'd seize it and have every right to expect a good grade in this class.

Thank you, Officer Gannon.

- Any more questions? - Lee, sir.

My question is a little off the point, Officer Gannon, but if you don't mind.

Not at all.

In the case of a policeman arresting a female,

do you recommend a frisk or detailed search of the suspect?

Neither, Ms. Lee. The procedure is to take the suspect in

and then search the back seat of your unit.

They know they'll be searched by a policewoman so they often unload drugs

or a weapon down behind the seat. I hope that answers your question.

Well, yes, but the way you tell it it doesn't sound like much fun.

- Can I see you outside? - Sure.

All right, now do you all understand everything so far

about what constitutes a search and what does not?

That second girl who asked the question, the

little dark-haired one, you know the one I mean?

- Joyce Anderson. - I'd like to use her.

She'll give me a point of view, the Los Angeles Police Academy

as seen through the eyes of a typical recruit.

- You'll agree she's typical. - Yes, ma'am.

I thought you'd say that all the time knowing very well

she's prettier, smarter, and has twice the personality of anyone in that room.

Well, I don't blame you for wanting to show

your best, Friday, but don't try to con me.

You picked her, Ms. Lee.

Because she'll photograph.

I'll have somebody follow us around with a camera.

Well, it's too late today.

Can you set it up for tomorrow or do I have to go through your PR man?

No, ma'am. That won't be necessary.

Come around anytime. We'll take care of it.

I could read that two ways.

Would you like to meet Anderson now?

Fine.

- Anderson, see you a minute? - Yes, sir.

- Anderson, this is Ms. Lee. - Hello.

Ms. Lee is a writer.

She's doing a magazine piece on policewomen...

Sergeant, may I please?

Your name is Joyce, isn't it?

- Yes, ma'am. - How old are you, Joyce?

- 23. - Why do you want to be a policewoman?

Well, so I won't be a secretary.

I don't mean there's anything wrong with being a secretary.

It's a good career for a woman, but police work is,

well, it's a challenge and it's a lot more interesting.

Besides, there are promotional opportunities with a good salary range.

You two must have read the same brochure.

Would you like to talk with Anderson alone?

Never mind. We'll get into it in depth as we go along.

You don't object to being written about, do you?

Guess not, but what's it all about?

You're my typical policewoman, Joyce.

I'm going to follow you around for a day.

See what you do, pick your brain, have a lot of pictures taken,

then I'll write it up for a national magazine. You don't seem very excited.

Well, it's just... I don't know. Why me?

Why not you?

Well, I think one of the other girls would be more typical.

Carol Winters for instance. She's a much better student.

Or Anne McClure now. She'd had modeling experiences.

You're the one I want.

Any reason you can't handle it, Anderson?

Well, I... no, sir. No reason.

Then I'll see you in the morning.

That's all, Anderson. Thanks.

Well, she doesn't seem exactly eager, does she?

- She'll do it. - Why? Because it's an order?

It's part of the job.

I suppose I could use one of the others.

That's entirely up to you, Ms. Lee.

You're ready for that one, weren't you?

You've made up your mind to use her in any case though, haven't you?

Unless you pull her out on me.

First class is at 6:50 tomorrow morning.

I wouldn't miss it for money.

The policewoman training program

is under the direct supervision of Sergeant Speck.

Besides instructing in the classroom,

Connie Speck serves as counselor for the cadets.

- Hi, Joe. - Connie.

I'm afraid I might have put one of your girls in a bind.

Joyce Anderson?

Yeah. She's just been picked as a typical cadet.

By Dorothy Lee? I heard she was here. Was that her out there?

Yeah. You ever read anything she's written?

Sure. Is she going to do a job on us?

More ways than one it looks like.

What's worrying you, Joe? Anderson?

- That's right. - Any reason she shouldn't do it?

Well, that's what I wanted to ask you, Connie.

I can tell you this much. Anderson started out at the top of the class

and stayed there until about a week ago.

- Now, she seems to have trouble concentrating. - Yeah.

Yesterday, she looked like she'd been crying

and stayed behind after the other girls left.

To talk it over with you?

I think she wanted to, Joe,

but when I asked her if she was all right she backed off.

- She give you any idea? - She just said it was a personal problem.

When I told her it seemed to be affecting her work, she said maybe it didn't matter.

Why not?

She said probably she wouldn't be around for the final exam,

- then she ran out of the room. - Have you talked to her since?

No, I thought it would all come out at the next progress interview.

Her next interview is tomorrow morning.

- With Lee? - With Lee.

I'll hold a good thought.

Joyce Anderson had passed a rigid screening process

to get into the academy.

She had completed almost three-quarters of the training course

and her grades had been excellent.

For her to drop out now would be a loss to the department.

As a first step in an effort to prevent this,

Bill suggested she be relieved of the interview with Dorothy Lee.

-40 p.m.

Are you coming with me, Joyce, or what?

Please, Russ, let me explain.

I'm sick of you explaining. You can't explain it to me.

- Russ, please. - Come on!

Oh! Russ.

Leave it! Come on.

All right, hold it. That's enough of that.

- What's going on, Anderson? - It's got nothing to do with you, mister.

I'll get around to you, fella. Right now I'm talking to Ms. Anderson.

It's all right.

You sure about that, Anderson? You're giving away a lot of weight.

Maybe you'd like to even it up.

If necessary, that can be arranged.

No, please. There's nothing wrong.

Honestly it's just a little misunderstanding.

Russ, this is Sergeant Friday and Officer Gannon.

I told you about them, remember? They're instructors.

I remember. Now, you tell them about me.

- This is my fiancé, Russ Landa. - Okay, you got it straight?

- Yes, now that we know. - All right.

- I'm sorry, Sergeant. - It's all right, Anderson.

Are you coming with me or not?

Well?

I'm sorry.

I can tell you something.

- About Anderson's personal problem. - That's it.

Tuesday, May 12th.

I was scheduled for only one class today,

a two-hour session on preliminary investigation.

Before leaving the office, I phoned Connie Speck

and arranged for her to pick another cadet for Dorothy Lee to interview.

6:35 a.m.

- Good morning, Sergeant Friday. - Good morning, Anderson.

Something I can do for you?

Well, I thought Ms. Lee would be here.

No, that's not true. I saw her in the coffee shop.

I wanted to explain about yesterday in the corridor.

Well, that isn't necessary and you don't

have to do the interview if you'd rather not.

I'll do it, Sergeant. I don't really mind.

- Do you want to sit down for a minute? - No, thank you.

Tell me. When are you getting married?

It's supposed to be the day after graduation.

I mean that's the date, whether I graduate or not.

Do you want to quit the academy, Anderson?

No, sir. I want to become a policewoman.

Well, I'm glad to hear that. A lot of time and

money has been spent on your training so far.

- You know that. - Yes, sir. I know.

Well, then what's the problem? Your friend doesn't like the idea of you working?

That's what he says, part of the time.

Then he'll turn around and admit if I don't keep working

for a year or two, we won't be able to buy a house.

- What's he do for a living? - Construction work.

Russ makes very good money, but of course, it's seasonal.

We'll need my salary if we're ever going to save up a down payment.

Then it's being a policewoman that he objects to, is that it?

- Yes, sir. - Why?

He says he'll wear the pants in the family.

Why don't you both talk it over with Sergeant Speck?

Maybe she can give you some answers.

I thought about it, but Russ wouldn't accept them.

- Why not? - Sergeant Speck's a policewoman.

Dorothy Lee sketched out a rough plan for her magazine story.

It was her intention to record with detailed notes

and pictures a full day in the life of policewoman Joyce Anderson.

6:45 a.m.

One thing you had to say about Dorothy Lee.

She was a hard worker. She began and ended each day

at the police academy with the cadets.

There was no doubt she was doing an in-depth magazine article.

6:50 a.m.

The day began with my lecture on the functions of a desk officer.

This is one of the most important subjects in the curriculum for cadets

because male desk officers have been almost entirely replaced by policewomen.

The cadets were advised to review their notes and be ready

to answer six questions on their final exam.

Every class period in the training school is 50-minutes long.

Even when a two-hour lecture is scheduled,

there's a 10-minute coffee break at the end of every hour.

From 9 until 9:50 a.m.,

Joyce Anderson received shooting orientation

and shot the required number of rounds on the range.

11:40 a.m.

A training film in first aid was run

and the class instructed in the general techniques

to be used in cases of accident, illness

and emergency childbirth,

how to step bleeding, administer artificial respiration,

how to treat shock and poison cases.

This course qualified the students for the Red Cross first aid certificate.

1:20 p.m. Officer Eubanks gave a demonstration

of the proper methods to follow in stopping a vehicle

containing misdemeanor or felony suspects.

This was followed by actual participation by the cadets

of the techniques of removal and search of the occupants and the vehicle.

Usually scheduled for the final period of the day

is the class in physical training and self-defense.

The girls engage in calisthenics, running

and competitive group games.

Two physical fitness qualifications tests

are given during the course.

3:25 p.m.

Well, there's one point I'll give on, Friday. That's a tough course.

- I'm beat. - Yeah.

- So were the girls, I guess. - And it's all wasted effort.

- Oh? - Well, for Joyce anyway.

She's not gonna make it to graduation.

Is that right?

Well, I don't have a signed confession,

but I know she's got a fella who doesn't want a cop in the family.

So you're going to lose, Friday.

What's that do to your story?

It gives me a big finish. Cop turns in badge for love.

I wouldn't write that till it happens.

Oh, it'll happen. Joyce is no fool.

Is that what career women are?

I think I've been here too long. I'm beginning to like you, Friday.

But you're wrong. I've got a perfectly good husband.

We've got a lot of married policewomen.

- You won't get Anderson. - She tell you that, did she?

- No, but she asked for my advice. - And you gave it to her.

Now, what else could I do?

Are you asking for my advice, Ms. Lee?

No, thanks, Sergeant. Not today.

Monday, May 18th. We started the final week of the cadet training class.

10:45 a.m. Captain Hoy called me into his office.

Come in, Friday. Close the door.

Connie Speck tells me we've got a dropout.

Yes, sir, Joyce Anderson. Is it definite?

Going to clean her locker room tonight. Now, what's this all about?

She's got a boyfriend.

So do most young women or a husband. That's no reason.

This one doesn't like policemen.

Well, he didn't decide that in the last seven weeks, did he?

No, sir. I think it's a point of view he's had for a long time.

How is it we didn't know about it?

Did you check Anderson's personal history for him?

Yes, sir. She just says she's engaged to this Landa.

Her background investigator didn't pick up on it?

Nothing in his report.

Don't you think you ought to have a talk with him?

Yes, sir, if you think it'll do any good.

I'll tell you what I think. We've got a recruit due to graduate in one week.

Now that's a pretty big investment.

If there's any way we can hang on to her, we gotta know what it is.

- That's what I think. - I'll check it out, Captain.

Do that. Now, what about this boyfriend? You ever met him?

We passed the time of day once out in the corridor.

- Do any good to talk to him? - No, sir. I doubt it.

- Why? - I don't think he listens.

The background investigation on Joyce Anderson

had been done by Sergeant Walston,

but he was somewhere on the High Sierras on vacation.

11 a.m. I phoned Connie Speck and asked her

to send Joyce Anderson to my office on her next break.

I thought she was swinging the other way.

In my classes, she's been flying all week just like the start of the course.

Yeah, we all seem to come on big that last week.

Yeah, it's been one of our best classes, Joe,

but I guess you have to expect to lose a recruit every once in a while.

If we lose this one, it'll be for the wrong reason.

Am I too early?

No. Come on in, Anderson. I'm just leaving.

Joyce, Captain Hoy tells me that you're quitting.

Couldn't you have said I was resigning?

The difference is why you're doing it.

Do I have you to tell you? My guy really laid it on the line last night.

Is that right?

I can be a wife or a policewoman, not both.

He give you any reason?

There was no discussion, just him or the job,

and no in-between.

Well, he may cool off before graduation.

He's going to meet me in the coffee shop for lunch.

You mean you have to give him the answer right now.

I leave with him or he goes alone.

He's a nice guy honestly,

most of the time and even if he wasn't...

- Yeah. - I'm hung up on him.

All right, Anderson. Get the A2 form from Sergeant Speck,

fill out three copies, sign them and come back here.

- Right now, Sergeant? - Right now.

Can I run over to the coffee shop first just to tell Russ I'll be a little late?

- I'll send somebody over. - Thank you.

Let's get the paperwork cleaned up.

Yes, sir.

Landa, I'm Sergeant Friday.

Yeah, I remember. Where's Joyce?

She'll be along. How about some more coffee?

No, thanks.

Do you mind if I sit down for a minute?

Don't make it any longer. I won't be here.

You're in a hurry, huh?

I just want Joyce out of this place.

Yeah, I know that. Do you mind telling me why?

I don't have to give you a reason.

No, you don't, but it's not hard to figure out.

You got a traffic ticket once or maybe a relative was arrested,

or you've heard a lot of stories about policemen. It's usually one of the three.

Pick one, Friday. They're all good.

How many police officers do you know personally?

I've been lucky so far, none.

Well, I hope it never runs out for you, Landa. I hope you never need to know a cop.

But it could happen because in the kind of world we live in,

you could be held up on the street

or mugged in a parking lot or your car stolen. That's when we'll hear from you.

Or you'll have a bad accident some night and you'll need emergency treatment.

Maybe that's when you'll get unlucky and an officer will show up in time

to keep you from bleeding to death on the freeway.

You don't like cops, but how would you like to get along without them?

When you read about a molested child or a raped woman

or a storeowner shot by a stickup man,

you just remind yourself it'd be a hundred times worse without any police force.

I never said we don't need cops.

Hang on to that thought and the next time you get a traffic citation for speeding

or reckless driving or for just trying to get away with something,

remember this, too.

That officer who writes your ticket may be the same one

who just went into a dark warehouse after an armed bandit.

Now they're not all heroes, Landa, and we don't claim they're all perfect.

That's the kind I object to, not all of them.

Just the ones that don't know how to use authority.

Can you do better?

The academy's always looking for good men and women.

- You mean like Joyce? - That's right.

I'm sorry, Russ. Sergeant Speck said she was all out of A2 forms.

Is that right?

She said I ought to ask you what I ought to do next.

- Oh, don't ask me, Joyce. - Pardon.

Take it up with him.

At the conclusion of the eight-week training course

and in preparation for the final ceremony,

the class watched a graduation rehearsal.

Friday, May 29th,

the cadets marched into the gym to receive their diplomas

from Chief Thomas Redding.

The special award for the most outstanding cadet went

to policewoman Joyce Anderson.

- Oh, hello, Ms. Lee. - Hello, Friday, Gannon.

So Anderson graduated.

Tell me, did we have a bet going?

No, but if you feel like a loser, you can buy the coffee.

That's cheap. What did it cost Anderson?

What do you mean, Ms. Lee?

I was thinking about her wedding plans scheduled

for the day after graduation, weren't they?

That's right, but it's been postponed.

Oh, how did you boys manage that?

Joe gave Landa his recruiting speech.

- And made him see the light? - No, I couldn't budge him.

Well, some of it must have gotten through.

I figure Landa told Joyce since she broke the engagement.

- Well, she's a fool. - Did you ever meet the guy, Ms. Lee?

That doesn't matter what he's like. They're in love.

Maybe that'll occur to him someday.

Oh, Friday, you're a troublemaker.

Do you realize what you're doing to me?

- What I'm doing to you? - Yes, what you're doing to me.

Now, I've gotta rewrite the end of my story.

Well, I don't know about you, Ms. Lee. We like the new ending better.

The Los Angeles Police Department

has employed policewomen since the turn of the century.

Salary for policewomen is on a par with their male counterparts.

There are 143 policewomen in the Los Angeles Police Service.

Forty-six of these hold the rank of sergeant.

They have replaced most of the desk sergeants from the detective divisions,

thereby freeing their male counterparts

for the more hazardous field investigations.