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This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and is being republished with permission.
Auckland councilor calls on TVNZ to remove reality show Police ten 7 what he says are racist stereotypes.
The show, which airs on Thursday nights, runs for 28 seasons. But Ephesus Collins says it feeds on stereotypes, particularly that young brown men are brutal.
Police Ten 7 program ‘feeds racial stereotypes’ – Auckland councilor
“I think if you look at the whole world, the fact that the United States has left shows how Cops, which are all these bubble gum TV shows, that do nothing more than chew something, get a little flavor out of it, and then spit it out.
“I think it’s about time a bubble gum was shown like Police ten 7 it was spit out of the vernacular of New Zealand television, because there is absolutely no need anymore. “
Collins tweeted that a recent ad for the show was edited to prominently feature “young brunettes.”
He directed his criticism at TVNZ, saying, “This … feeds on racial stereotypes, and it’s time you act as a responsible broadcaster and cut it off.”
The United States Show Cops, easily recognizable by its opening Bad boys melody, personified what became a broader genre of police television. He has been criticized for “media collusion” in telling one-sided stories in favor of the police perspective and invading people’s privacy in deeply personal moments of crisis.
Cleave parents; Editor Emily Writes says the US show was about “police assault, toxic masculinity disguised as service, and removing the dignity of people who face some of the worst times of their lives.”
Cops was canceled last year, and The spin-off The commentator called for the New Zealand show to be canned as well, saying it builds television around vulnerable communities and provides a privileged platform for the police.
In 2007, then-TVNZ boss Rick Ellis was criticized for including Police ten-7 on a list of the station’s programs that included Maori representation, while speaking to the Select Committee on Maori Affairs.
At the time, Maori party co-leader Pita Sharples said Ellis’s inclusion of the show on the list was “degrading.”
Recently, allegations of racial discrimination have been leveled at the police after RNZ revealed that a number of Rangatahi who had done nothing wrong were photographed by officers.
Police have now launched a long-term research project on unconscious racial bias, with criminal justice advocate Kim Workman and the University of Waikato.
TVNZ has been contacted for comment.
This story was originally posted on RNZ.co.nz and is being republished with permission.
