The Police Tapes

The "Police Tapes" was one of the first of its kind 'reality show,' which focused on the New York City Police Department in the Bronx, in the then-notorious 44th Precinct. It was done duing the 1970s in the South Bronx, in a police precinct that was not as well-known as the infamous 41st Precinct "Fort Apache," which was about two miles to the east of the 44 Precinct, but was suffering from the same human degradation as the 41 Precinct and the rest of the so-called South Bronx.The Bronx Borough Commander at that time was Chief Tony Bouza, who was known for his articulate explanation of the 'theater of the absured' which was the Bronx. In his dialogue on the tape, Bouza attempts to put into real terms the issues which are affecting the Bronx...and the cops themselves...at that time, to the point where he says that maybe he shouldn't do such a good job, in order to let the problems be more exposed to the rest of the country.This was to become one of the first of what was several TV shows and documentaries about the "South Bronx," which became a "city" forced to wallow in its own misery for years after the Police Tapes were made, despite its notoriety and the promises of many politicians.The lack of 21st Century video technology shows, but enhances what you see.Nothing like what was the "South Bronx" will ever happen again.

The most surprising and amazing component of this film is Commander Tony Bouza. His insight and intellect is off the charts and he is brutally honest. He is able to understand what happens emotionally and psychologically to police officers while at the same time himself not losing his sense of humanity towards the impoverished and dispossessed community he serves. His words are as applicable today as they were forty years and I wish we had listened back then.

I did South Bronx cop patrol in many commands including the 44 so know the so accuracy of The Police Tapes.Did three gunbattles 1969-70 46 Command and got a Japanese bayonet souvenir off a wild gun run in 44 where we kicked in a apartment door. Al Aaronson the great Daily News crime photograper was snapping us as we kicked in the door.So wow yes " The Police Tapes " is so vivid accurate. Viewing it literaly felt I was back on South Bronx patrol emotionally. The Police Tapes will be a true eye opener for lay folk but us South Bronx cops we only knew we wanted action and we found it.johnrowland@webtv.net

Excellent eye opener. Brings back memories watching my old neighborhoods going to hell. Many of the conditions & problems from 40 years ago are present now. It is NOT a stretch to say we could end up with similar results today if our elected leaders and uninvolved parents continue to let down our children and abandon their responsibilities. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

brilliant but so sad when you think that those gangs now carry guns not pipes, and alcohol has been replaced by drugs. I showed it to my very upper middle class college students who were stunned and, best of all, informed. I doubt very much if the police would now be open to such a candid documentary. Bravo for the Raymonds!

This was the "COPS" shop before the more famous "COPS" show. The analisys of the crime in N Y at the end by Chief Bouza is very interesting and worth the purchase price alone. The interview with the filmmakers is also very good.

The Police Tapes leaves me wanting to see more - footage from this era is difficult to come by, and what is present on the DVD is fantastic. If you're curious about this era of NYC/policing, you can't go wrong with this one.

Blackjacks, .38’s and cocobolo nightsticks, back when cops were cops and the perps ran scared. You risked a serious beat down if you disrespected a NYC street cop in those days. Much, much different than today.Oh, and P.S. the 4-4 was never known as “Ft. Apache”. Ft. Apache was the 4-1 on Simpson St. and the station house used in the movie Ft. Apache the Bronx was the 4-2 on 3rd Ave.

First and formost, this is a great documentary The camera that was used was early video tape tecnolegy.The camera never interfear with the subject of inner city police life in New york, in the mid-seventies.Top notch documentery.