How we perceive the 'guardians of the peace' today?
Guardians of the Peace
In Ireland, the police are called Garda Síochána, meaning, the guardians of the peace. They are the people assigned and empowered to enforce the law, protect property of the public, and also to limit civil disorder. It has always been my hero of the rights; well, a more realistic side of me although I do belief that there are more heroes out there that does the job of a police - Batman!
If I may make an assumption here as a person born in the late-70's; many of us could have written at least once on our ambition during school time as 'to be a policeman' when we grown up. Why? Why we want to be the guardian of the peace? We may be young and naive but what do we knows about enforcing the law or to limit civil disorder?
So, let us reflect on our past to see how our perception on police being formed.
1984: Police Cadet
In 1984 (when I just about to enter primary school), there was a hit on TVB drama series, the 'Police Cadet'. We see a group of young and rebellion teenager joined the police force and being transformed into good and committed policemen. It was so cool to be wearing uniform like the police and got to carry a gun, protecting the people against the criminals. The image of the police was well establised when we were young, naive and innocent. We learned how to be a good person. If not, the police will catch us and put us in jail.
That should be the first encounter on what causes me to think a police is a hero, and subsequently influences me to have an ambition to become a police. I started to ask my parents to buy the 'police set' plastic toys:
As usual, my brother and sister will always be the criminals that I am chasing for. Sorry bro, I used to handcuff you with these toys, and you always broke it easily with your strenghts. That time, I really wish I can get a steel-made handcuffs!
1985: Police Story Legacy Begin
All these childhood dream of becoming a policeman got amplified when action Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan began the legacy of the 'Police Story" in 1985.
The movie is filled with all the daring stunts by Jackie Chan as a normal, low-ranking policeman playing his roles a 'guardian of the peace'. In the movie, he is willing to sacrifice his life, even his job in order to make sure the protects the people from bad guys. With his small little .38 revolver that can load only 6 bullets at a time, chasing criminals that uses automatic and machine guns - a real HERO to many fans. This has resulted many sequels of the original movie: Police Story 2 (1988), Police Story 3 - Super Cop (1992), Police Story 4 - First Strike (1996) and New Police Story (2004).
Remember these 'heroes'? Yes, they are the 'Young and Dangerous' (1995) which successfully made many sequels too (matching the success of the Police Story): Young and Dangerous 2 (1996), Young and Dangerous 3 (1996), Young and Dangerous 4 (1997), Young and Dangerous 5 (1998), Young and Dangerous - The Prequel (1998), The Legendary of Tai Fei (1999), Those Were the Days (2000). Starring Ekin Cheng and the famous side-kick Jordan Chan, they are the successful triad members in the movie that made the glamour of being a 'bad-ass'. Imagine that every year, you were exposed to how brilliant, glamour, cool and macho being a triad member, joining forces with other bad-ass with tattoo everywhere (not everywhere I guess), having out at nightclubs, spas, and karaoke, beating up people; and many people follow you everywhere. Even the police have to be caution.
Well, at least the Malaysian version of Young and Dangerous got edited where they made Ekin Cheng as an undercover cop for the Police force. Actually, it does not change anything as being the bad-ass was more 'Gaya'! At this point of time, my perception of being the 'guardian of peace' got shaken. It is not just the police whom can be peace keeper. It seems like the underground force is also playing the role to keep peace, with a style. I belief during that period of time, for those 80's and early 90's kids, those were not been exposed to the "Police Cadet" and "Police Story" would felt into the Young and Dangerous world. To them, the rebels and underground is the way to be HERO!
More Affairs
Things got more complicated and confuses our younger generation as what is the real meaning of 'guardian of the peace'! Here comes the Infernal Affairs (2002), which became a bit hit as blockbuster and won many movies awards, with awesome casts like Andy Lau and Tony Leung (the return of 'Police Cadet' - he still played the police role as undercover cop, sorry Andy Lau, you are the bad ass). It made successful sequels too: Infernal Affairs II (2003) and Infernal Affairs III (2003).
In Ireland, the police are called Garda Síochána, meaning, the guardians of the peace. They are the people assigned and empowered to enforce the law, protect property of the public, and also to limit civil disorder. It has always been my hero of the rights; well, a more realistic side of me although I do belief that there are more heroes out there that does the job of a police - Batman!
If I may make an assumption here as a person born in the late-70's; many of us could have written at least once on our ambition during school time as 'to be a policeman' when we grown up. Why? Why we want to be the guardian of the peace? We may be young and naive but what do we knows about enforcing the law or to limit civil disorder?
So, let us reflect on our past to see how our perception on police being formed.
1984: Police Cadet
In 1984 (when I just about to enter primary school), there was a hit on TVB drama series, the 'Police Cadet'. We see a group of young and rebellion teenager joined the police force and being transformed into good and committed policemen. It was so cool to be wearing uniform like the police and got to carry a gun, protecting the people against the criminals. The image of the police was well establised when we were young, naive and innocent. We learned how to be a good person. If not, the police will catch us and put us in jail.
That should be the first encounter on what causes me to think a police is a hero, and subsequently influences me to have an ambition to become a police. I started to ask my parents to buy the 'police set' plastic toys:As usual, my brother and sister will always be the criminals that I am chasing for. Sorry bro, I used to handcuff you with these toys, and you always broke it easily with your strenghts. That time, I really wish I can get a steel-made handcuffs!
1985: Police Story Legacy Begin
All these childhood dream of becoming a policeman got amplified when action Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan began the legacy of the 'Police Story" in 1985.
The movie is filled with all the daring stunts by Jackie Chan as a normal, low-ranking policeman playing his roles a 'guardian of the peace'. In the movie, he is willing to sacrifice his life, even his job in order to make sure the protects the people from bad guys. With his small little .38 revolver that can load only 6 bullets at a time, chasing criminals that uses automatic and machine guns - a real HERO to many fans. This has resulted many sequels of the original movie: Police Story 2 (1988), Police Story 3 - Super Cop (1992), Police Story 4 - First Strike (1996) and New Police Story (2004).
It is very obvious now that many of us (in the same generation) grown up together with the dedication, commitment, and 'good' force of being the 'guardian of the peace'. However, the big twist started in the 90's when we see how social factors change our many years perception of the police.
The Revolution: Young and Dangerous
Remember these 'heroes'? Yes, they are the 'Young and Dangerous' (1995) which successfully made many sequels too (matching the success of the Police Story): Young and Dangerous 2 (1996), Young and Dangerous 3 (1996), Young and Dangerous 4 (1997), Young and Dangerous 5 (1998), Young and Dangerous - The Prequel (1998), The Legendary of Tai Fei (1999), Those Were the Days (2000). Starring Ekin Cheng and the famous side-kick Jordan Chan, they are the successful triad members in the movie that made the glamour of being a 'bad-ass'. Imagine that every year, you were exposed to how brilliant, glamour, cool and macho being a triad member, joining forces with other bad-ass with tattoo everywhere (not everywhere I guess), having out at nightclubs, spas, and karaoke, beating up people; and many people follow you everywhere. Even the police have to be caution.
Well, at least the Malaysian version of Young and Dangerous got edited where they made Ekin Cheng as an undercover cop for the Police force. Actually, it does not change anything as being the bad-ass was more 'Gaya'! At this point of time, my perception of being the 'guardian of peace' got shaken. It is not just the police whom can be peace keeper. It seems like the underground force is also playing the role to keep peace, with a style. I belief during that period of time, for those 80's and early 90's kids, those were not been exposed to the "Police Cadet" and "Police Story" would felt into the Young and Dangerous world. To them, the rebels and underground is the way to be HERO!
More Affairs
Things got more complicated and confuses our younger generation as what is the real meaning of 'guardian of the peace'! Here comes the Infernal Affairs (2002), which became a bit hit as blockbuster and won many movies awards, with awesome casts like Andy Lau and Tony Leung (the return of 'Police Cadet' - he still played the police role as undercover cop, sorry Andy Lau, you are the bad ass). It made successful sequels too: Infernal Affairs II (2003) and Infernal Affairs III (2003).
Hence, the 21st Century begin to show that there is no more definate good or evil in thiss world as people whom we think is police, can be a triad member and a gangster from underground might be an undercover cop on duty. The perception of police gets very complicated and the 'guardians of the peace' can come from any forces, as long as this force can bring real peace. That is why many people today may accept that there is no need to define good guy or bad guy. Some may dream to be like Ekin Cheng or Andy Lau, and some, still insist that we need someone like Tony Leong or Jackie Chan as the 'guardian of the peace.' To me, I think the character played by Tony Leong and Jackie Chan are slowly fading as it is loosing the preferences to be a protector. Why? Because a protector like them got to make major sacrifices, scolded by bosses, risking their life, abondon the family and mostly not able live a normal life. Yet, the Young and Dangerous gained much more preferences as it is more relaxing, entertaining, glamour and exciting.
Many may not agree with me that because both thought has their pros and cons. I belief this is what makes the Infernal Affair to be a winner! Yup, we want hybrid today, able to corssover on anything, easily and enjoy the best of both world. Sounds good?
The Perils of Hybrid Guardian of the Peace
At this point of time, if you agree with me on the hybrid (after my efforts to influence your perception), meaning we are all living in a dangerous world now. If the hybrid thought is acceptable, there will be no more good 'guardian of the peace', who is willing to sacrifice to protect the people, not taking bribe, never be influenced by the materialistic world - a true "Tony Leung a.k.a Chan Hou Yan".
Look around us and see if the 'Police Cadet/Story' type 'guardians of the peace' still exist. Let us play our part to bring back the "Real" Hero as 'Guardians of the Peace'!!!
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