Cops in the DCU?

[AllisterH]

I'm curious about soemthing.

Exactly how does the DCU replace the cops in their cities. In most random villain killings, the cops usually bite it first so how the hell do they replace them?

Furthermore, WHY do people become cops in the DCU?

In the real world, people become cops as a combination of the following.

a) They want to make a difference.
In the DCU, if you want to make a difference, you become a superhero. In pretty much every book, the regulations/politics behind the police force is ALWAYS seen as a bad thing and thus, if you want to make a difference, you slap on a suit.

b) They want to experience the prestige/thrill/respect of being a cop.
Even today, cops are still given a level of respect that few professions have. Whenever we hear about a drug bust or a solved murder, we nod our heads and say, "good policing".

In the DCU, wouldn't though they be overshadowed by the superheroes? Seriously, in Gotham, it was Batman that took out the original Mafia gangs, and I betcha on the front page of the Daily Planet, its talking about Superman.

So the prestige is no longer there and if you want respect, you become a superhero.

c) People that see it as a job.
Like all things, we have cops that just want to punch a timeclock but in the DCU, you have to punch a timeclock while still expected to be the frontlines when Captain Cold comes a calling.

How much is a job worth that you have to deal with this?

The reason why I ask is because a friend was asking me about Montoya and I hoenstly couldn't see WHY Montoya would want to remain a cop. There was a recent OYL Batman comic where he tried to intimidate a cop into remaining a cop. True, she said she wanted to be a cop but there doesn't seem to be any damn good reason.

So I ask, "Why are there cops in the DCU?"

[spacy]

i would say they are cops for the same reasons as usual.

maybe gotham central would be worth a read :)

[MaxofSteel]

How does the DCU replace cops? Cloning of course. No wait, that's Marvel. (Oh SNAP!):D

[TheTen-EyedMan]

If I wasn't banned from posting pictures, I'd put my picture of Lady Cop here.

Hang on...

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?p=3860077&highlight=Lady#post3860077

There...

[Jason von Evil]

Because there are still petty crimes that supers won't be bothered to handle. I mean, if a super happens across a crime in progress, he or she will likely step in and stop it. There are exceptions of course, like Batman and his crew, and Spidey.

[Nintendite]

I'd say


A) As Jason Von Evil said, there are still those petty crimes that heroes will usually not deal with.

B) The same reason many people in wartorn countries become cops: it's a job. Sure, you are going to be a big target for Villains, but it's a paycheck.

C) Heroism still counts for something.

[AllisterH]

I'd say


A) As Jason Von Evil said, there are still those petty crimes that heroes will usually not deal with.

B) The same reason many people in wartorn countries become cops: it's a job. Sure, you are going to be a big target for Villains, but it's a paycheck.

C) Heroism still counts for something.

A) Yeah, I acknowledge that there still will be petty crime (not everyone gets assigned to Homicide, Drugs or SWAT) but all COPS have to start at the lowest point, namely directing traffic and issuing tickets but my point is, "WHERE are you getting these cops from to do these jobs". I know many cops that became cops because of what they saw cops do IRL (saving people, stopping crime, high speed chases etc) since it was publicized, but if in the DCU, the only thing cops do is direct traffic, why would people become a cop.

B) How big a paycheck though. I can't see the typical detective's salary being worth it to have to deal with say Gotham's crazies.

C) But that's my point. You don't have to be a cop to be a hero in the DCU. In fact, you probably accomplish a lot more NOT being a cop.

[Jack Zodiac]

So, if someone wants to make a difference, they should break the law, become a vigilante, and fight crime instead of going through Academy, being trained properly, and getting a shield? And where are all of these random folks who want to make a difference but don't want to become cops going to get their powers? Not everybody's a Batman, Nightwing, or Robin, even really good cops.

People become cops because they want to make a difference by enforcing the law. Despite whatever ideas you have about comic book police, they do the exact same jobs they'd do in real life. As somebody else here pointed out, just read Gotham Central sometime. All of those cops are busting criminals people like Batman or Superman wouldn't have time for because they're busy fighting guys like The Joker or Metallo.

There's a dichotomy of crime and justice in comic books. There are low-level street thugs and gangs who run drugs, guns, and whatever and then there's the police officers and detectives who work hard to fight that kind of crime. Then there's the evil madmen, super geniuses, and powered villains and the caped, cowled, and cloaked vigilantes and four-color superheroes who combat them. In a lot of cases, those very colorful villains exist because of those colorful heroes.

That's why people would still want to be cops in comic books. There are just as many supervillains as there are superheroes, so somebody has to pay attention to real crime.

[Jason von Evil]

Then who's actually arresting criminals, taking them to jail and processing them? I just don't see heroes doing this or responding to domestic abuse calls and other things considered mundane.

[TheRealOblivion]

Another good part of being a cop is that you get paid to be a hero, while superheroes save the world and have a day job as well.

As I recall, a few years ago Nightwing became a cop so he could fight crime 24/7.

[Captain Smith]

Cops have to be minimized in the DCU because they would interfer with our often discussed disconnect about killing very dangerous people.

In many of the comic situations where people are bataranged, hit with boxing glove arrows, caught in a GL giant hand, etc. - they would be shot down.

While cops are not authorized to use proactive deadly force, they certainly can use it to prevent grievous bodily harm. A Green Goblin, Mr. Freeze type would be shot at with lethal force almost immediately. Thus, cops have to be distant or buffoons to maintain the illusion that only superheroes can deal with villians of that ilk.

[captain_unimpressive]

I imagine that not everyone in the DCU had superpowers or was trained by Tibetan martial arts masters. When you give ordinary people powers, you get week 24 of 52.
And, besides, not everyone who does have powers chooses to dedicate their lives to using them. Six million people in America can fly, but they all button up their shirts and get a desk job. (I can't remember where that quote is from, but oh well. You get the point).

[Agentum]

Yes the existence of magic and superpowers complicate things alot.