In the Public Interest

Episode aired Nov 4, 1978
TV-MA
45m

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

160

YOUR RATING

Lewis Collins and Martin Shaw in The Professionals (1977)

Action Comedy Crime

Chief Constable Green operates a zero tolerance policing system bordering on fascist dictatorship. When a gay youth counselling centre is attacked by masked men one of the staff suspects the... Read allChief Constable Green operates a zero tolerance policing system bordering on fascist dictatorship. When a gay youth counselling centre is attacked by masked men one of the staff suspects the police are behind it and goes to see Cowley. Bodie and Doyle themselves become victimized... Read allChief Constable Green operates a zero tolerance policing system bordering on fascist dictatorship. When a gay youth counselling centre is attacked by masked men one of the staff suspects the police are behind it and goes to see Cowley. Bodie and Doyle themselves become victimized after being charged with a minor traffic offence. However Green and corrupt inspector Chi... Read all

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

160

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos

Storyline

Edit

Did you know

Edit

Trivia
The story was partly inspired by Greater Manchester's Chief Constable James Anderton. Although the episode's city is unnamed, a mention of "Canal Street" in the dialogue may have been a (subconscious) reference to Manchester. Appointed to the position in 1976, Anderton's reign commenced with raids on newsagents, bookshops and warehouses to confiscate soft-porn and stronger material. Anderton was also accused of undue "policing" of gay communities. Christened "God's Copper" by the media, he took a hard line on criminality and frequently criticised politicians and the judiciary over what he saw as overly-lenient sentencing.

Goofs
When Bodie and Doyle are stopped by the police on the first occasion (for speeding), they pull up opposite a row of houses. When they drive off again, they are opposite a parade of shops instead.

Quotes
Minister: I can't have you going over my head, George... then you'd *really* think you were God!

User reviews6

Featured review

Why no name

I like this episode but I cannot understand how everyone refers to the city as "the city" or "our city" etc. Sounds so unnatural. Surely the writers could have come up with a false name like they do in other copp shows and other dramas.

Also the head cop is a Chief Constable. This tank is the head of a constabulary which is a county or large metropolitan area like London. Surely the police should refer to "our county".