Whistling Smith

Marrin Canell & Michael Scott,
1975,
27 min 20 s

Synopsis
Education

This film is a revealing portrait of a tough cop with a big heart. Sergeant Bernie "Whistling" Smith walks the beat on Vancouver's Eastside, the hangout of petty criminals, down-and-outs and a variety of characters. His policing is unorthodox. To many drug users, petty thieves and prostitutes in this economically depressed area he is more than the iron hand of the law, he is also a counsellor and a friend.

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Comments

“As a youth growing up in east Van in the 1980's I am grateful for the tough-love cops like Sgt. Smith who kept me in the right direction. ” — apettit7, 15 Nov 2012
“As recently as 2004 there were still some cops like that in East Van. In fact I found the police in Vancouver much kinder then police here in Toronto. 14 div should watch this film” — JAYS_JUNK, 14 Feb 2012
“This the way policing used to be. ” — tiger2338, 12 Feb 2012
“As a police officer for 24 years , that is real police qqwork, it does not exist anymore! now the criminels have more power , WHAT A SHAME!!!” — tsea512, 14 Jan 2012
“As a police officer for 24 years , that is real police qqwork, it does not exist anymore! now the criminels have more power , WHAT A SHAME!!!” — tsea512, 14 Jan 2012
“Great presentation of what we once had, that is now gone forever. I am sure there are many Sgt. Smiths out there...but they ride the beat Are they really in touch with the people and the streets? Do they really want to be????????” — roberto, 31 Jan 2011
“I can remember this type of police patrol as a young person, the force seemed to be more in touch with the public and the problems of the times. Now days kids hang in gangs and feed off one another, in my city we see less and less cops on foot patrol. I believe the camera encouraged Sgt. Smith to be a bit dramatic but all said I think we could use more Sgt. Smiths good N.F.B presentation also loved The Waterwalker Cheers, Roberto” — roberto, 31 Jan 2011