Traffic Cops (Traffic Cops)

Member Name: chris212

Product:	Traffic Cops
Date:	21/07/09 (144 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Shows different areas of the country

Disadvantages: Not quite as good as Raod Wars

Traffic Cops is the BBC One programmes that follows the traffic division of a police force for a period of time. Although the programme does not focus solely on one police force, as different forces are shown in different series. In the last series the police force that was followed was the police force where I live, South Wales Police, where as in previous series the forces followed were Cheshire, Hampshire and South Yorkshire police among others.

The series follows in the mode of the traditional police show, in that it follows the activities of the traffic division of the police force, although the show does not show any footage of police forces from around the world, as other shows do. The main focus of the show is the work of the traffic cops and the way that the deal with traffic offense, either it be chasing cars or other traffic offences such as having no tax or insurance. Although the programme does like to show a good car chase.

The programme will usually be shown in series that each have a different number of episodes, but at certain points the programme does show specials, such as at Christmas.

The presenter / narrator of the show is Jamie Theakston, whose main role in the show is introducing the segments of the show and giving a slight bit of commentary on each segment. I believe that Theakson is well suited to Traffic Cops, as the show has a serious edge compared to other police shows. Although I do not believe that the presence of Theakston is not absolutely necessary, as the show would also work without him.

With the show there is going to be obvious comparisons with another police show, which is Road Wars, which is Sky's version of the genre. Both of these shows follow the traffic division of a police force, although in Road Wars the focus of the show is not solely on traffic offences.

This leads to the question, which programme would I prefer? The answer that I would give would have to be Road Wars, as it just edges ahead. One of the reasons why I prefer Road Wars is the narrator is better, as he injects humour into the show; whereas Jamie Theakston narrates in quite a serious manor. Secondly in Road Wars, the viewer gets to know the police officers, whereas in Traffic Cops the officers are not always shown.

Overall, the programme is not that bad, it is just that Road Wars is that one step ahead. But that would not stop me from recommending the show, because if there was no Road Wars then Traffic Cops would be the lead in this type of programme.

Summary: Good but not as good as Road Wars