Here is an exerpt from a newsgroups posting about this ep.
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 93 14:56:14 EST
From: bickham at msc2.msc.cornell.edu (Scott Bickham)
Subject: COPs replies:
Soon after the COPS incident was discussed here, I sent a letter to the
local FOX station and the producers of COPS explaining that I thought
homebrewing had been misrepresented. Today, I received the following
reply:
- ----------------
Dear Mr. Bickham,
Thank you for your letter regarding the homebrewing episode of COPS.
Please realize that COPS is a video verite show, flimed without a script,
rehearsals, narration or whatever. What we see while accompanying the
police is what you see -- right or wrong.
In the episode you question, the officer does make the point that home
brewing is legal, and nowhere is there any mention of beer. The suspect
was, in fact, supposedly making tequila and whiskey.
We have however brought your complaint to the attention of the police, and
we truly regret any misinterpretation -- which was not our intent. COPS
has never professed to do anything other than reflect actual incidents
while following our nation's police departments in carrying out their duties.
Sincerely,
Malcolm Barbour
Executive Producer
- ------------------
It appears that COPS is aware of our feeling about this incident, and
judging from this, may even respond to similar letters the receive from
other homebrewers. I don't think they should be held blameless, since
there is obviously a large audience for this type of journalism, but they
shouldn't be held responsible for the ignorance the law enforcement officers
display on camera.
Scott
Note the date...
