On MeTV, early, the Broderick Crawford series ends with a successful arrest of three criminals. The good guys get their men, but
(a) the criminals drop their revolvers at the first sight of the police
(b) the LEOs individually frisk the bad guys, even outnumbered 3 to 2
(c) the bad guys are pushed out the door uncuffed to get in one patrol car
(d) the bad guy weapons are left behind

Surely this can’t be how it was way back when?

I watch every episode. I like:
The mid to late 50s California scenery and roads.
The patrol cars are two door coupes. The cop bikes are a hoot.
One episode has a young Clint Eastwood. On a motorcycle.
The convertible was popular, even as a getaway vehicle.
Women dressed like my Mom.
As far as the cops go:
The revolver is king, and snubs for just about everybody.
Spring open speed holsters for the uniforms.
No portable radios.
Communications by phone. Often an actual pay phone.
Lots of bad guys get shot. No paperwork needed.
No real crime scene investigations.
No courtroom stuff.
Lots of tire track impressions taken.
Never a tow truck to be seen.
Everybody wears hats.
Only "Highway Patrol" get involved in crime. Almost no local or county cops.
The Bell Sioux Helicopter is cutting edge technology!
Fun Fact: Brodrick Crawford was a full on drunk and his drivers license was suspended at the time of filming. If you see him driving, its on private property. His alcoholism caused the CHP to yank their support of the show eventually.
And I too think they played fast and loose with police procedure, even in the 50s.

One of my favorite actors. Wonderful portrayal of Huey P. Long. He knew with his looks he would never be a leading man. Made some great Film Noir films. Enjoyed the police procedurals of the 1950s.

'2150 by..'

To top it off, weren't the patrol cars Nashs or was that a different series?

I have seen a Nash used when local cops are shown. Saw them used as patrol cars in movies, too. The "Highway Patrol" doesn't use them.

When Highway Patrol was being filmed there was a large amount of cooperation between the production company and the CHP. Early on the CHP loaned them actual CHP cars.

A bit of trivia here. The 1955 Buick Century two door sedans used in the series were part of a limited production build of 261 cars. Originally the two door sedan was only available in the Special model, all Specials were built with a 264 CID 2 barrel carburetor. Centuries, Supers and Roadmasters were all 322 cID 4 barrel carburetors. Buick engineers did their magic and created the Century 2 door sedan and sold all of the to the CHP.

They still turn up from time to time out west and highly coveted.

Another bit of trivia, many times Dan Matthews is being driven by a uniformed actor. Supposedly at those times Broderick Crawford’s drivers license was under suspension and because the filming was done on actual roads he could not legally drive.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:

Surely this can’t be how it was way back when?

Its a TV show....from a different era...when society was largely accommodating if not compliant...when people still wore hats, a coat and gloves when out in public....when the population was a LOT smaller...its a TV show

Many, many years ago when I was a town cop, I stopped Broderick Crawford for speeding through a village I patrolled. He was known to be a big drinker but i didn't pick up a scent of alcohol. I was pretty star-struck anyway. He was friendly and polite-believe he had a connection to Central New York, maybe his mom or something.I shoulda got an autograph, I guess...