It is not “Cops” and it is not “CSI Nashville.” It is a look at the daily lives of Metro police department officers patrolling Nashville, Tennessee. In February of 2013 Metro 3 TV produced a documentary, “Metro’s Finest.” They followed four officers as they go about their daily duty. It is as close to patrol as one can get without donning a uniform.
“Metro’s Finest” features two officers for the South Precinct, Mike Harrell and Whitney Arnold. North Precinct Officer Tina Wiggs is also on camera, as is Officer Floyd Brown of the Hermitage A Flex Unit. They are four of 1,373 sworn officers in Metro Police Department. All four admit they love what they do for a living.
Officer Whitney Arnold “fell in love with law enforcement” during an internship while completing her Bachelor’s degree. “I learn new things every day.” En route to a property damage call (a 10-43) she contemplates where her career can take her. “I’m working on my Masters. Luckily, Metro is a big department” so she could transfer to several divisions or an administration job.
The officers are tracked with a camera and microphone as they answer calls for traffic accidents, juvenile delinquency, loitering, and even a horse rescue. A “Metro Dashcam” shows the viewer how life appears from behind the wheel of the squad car.
Officer Tina Wiggs discusses the sacrifices an officer makes to ensure the public is safe. During the 2010 Nashville flood the Wiggs’ home, along with many other officer’s homes, went underwater. Unable to reach the house, and on 12 hour shifts, Wiggs and her officer husband saw each other “in passing” for weeks. “Sometimes we could meet for a quick meal.” A drunk driver drove his vehicle into the high water and Wiggs dove in to rescue the driver from his sinking vehicle. She risked her own life, but when the driver came to safety he angrily chastised Wiggs. “It’s not always about guns and drugs,” Officer Wiggs says, smiling.
Viewers learn about the importance of trespass laws. They learn the important paperwork to keep in vehicles in case of accident. There is a 10-71 (burglar alarm –silent), a 10-63 (suicidal person), and a 10-46 (vehicle accident with minor injuries). Officers respond to a four-car collision. They also locate drugs, a weapon, and more on what appears to be a “boring” call. The video gives information for those interested in applying with Metro.
One of the officers answers a domestic call, calling for a backup unit. A 17-year-old boy answered the door of the home in his underwear, telling the officers “my mother is disrespecting me!” As the officers listen to the young man’s woes, a little sibling tattles on the boy; “he hit mamma in the face and now she’s bleeding!” It is another day in the life for officers.
It does not include shootouts, high-speed chases, or the arrest of a drug lord. Metro 3 TV’s documentary “Metro’s Finest” does show the real life world of policing.
See the documentary HERE
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Credit: photo of J. Yates
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