Which fictional police officer would you want to see patrolling downtown Ann Arbor?
During a discussion on funding beat cops in downtown Ann Arbor, Downtown Development Authority leaders jokingly suggested this week they'd consider hiring RoboCop.
While fictional robotic law enforcement officers might have been cool in 1987, they probably don't make much sense in modern-day, real-world Ann Arbor.
But just for fun, if you could have your way, which fictional police officer would you want to see patrolling downtown Ann Arbor?
Take the poll below and let us know.
Is your favorite not on the list? Leave your answer in the comment section.
You have 20 seconds to comply.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
mady
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 9:44 p.m.
I heartily agree with jns131. GORT! Klaatu berada nikto!!
SonnyDog09
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 2:35 p.m.
Sheriff J. W. Pepper (from a couple of the Bond movies).
Top Cat
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:09 p.m.
Sheriff John T. Chance (John Wayne) from Rio Bravo.
SonnyDog09
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 10:55 a.m.
Chief Inspector Jacques Clouseau
Julius
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:35 a.m.
What about John Spartan? "John Spartan, you are fined one credit for violation of the verbal morality statute."
mady
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 5:15 p.m.
Julius, that was one of my favorite scenes from that movie! I also enjoyed the way John Spartan acquired toilet paper....
genetracy
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:33 a.m.
Deputy Travis Junior from Reno 911.
Nicholas Urfe
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 10:15 p.m.
I wish we could get Deckard to clean those damn replicants off the streets.
Peter
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 2:48 p.m.
Couldn't think of a single woman to put on that list, Ryan?
Barzoom
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 12:19 p.m.
Harry Callahan (Dirty Harry). Go ahead....Make my day.
Chip Reed
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 12:17 p.m.
Destry
mady
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:08 p.m.
Yes! Tom Destry.
a2terri
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 8:17 a.m.
Definitely Kiera Cameron (and if you haven't seen the series Continuum, you are in for a treat). Stand aside guys (really - not one woman on your list Ryan?)
a2terri
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 8:22 a.m.
Whoops, there was ONE woman on the list - missed Larvelle. Kiera still rocks, though.
TryingToBeObjective
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 3:30 a.m.
Paul Blart -Mall Cop. Downtown on his Segway. Kevin James is the man.
metrichead
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 3:10 a.m.
Batman. Sure, he's not a cop you'll no doubt tell me, but he pretty much does Gotham PD's job for them, doesn't he?
Jaime Magiera
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 3:07 a.m.
Elmer the Safety Elephant.
Michael Bodary
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 2:38 a.m.
Dick Tracy? 1-Adam 12? I like Dragnet too.
fjord
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 2:35 a.m.
The Bunk.
Homeland Conspiracy
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 2:31 a.m.
Officer Francis Muldoon or Bernard "Barney" Milton Fife
Billy
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 1:29 a.m.
Frank Serpico.....oh wait he's not fictional...
Bubba43
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 1:25 a.m.
GET REAL
Mallory
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 1:19 a.m.
Sgt. Nicholas Angel from Hot Fuzz.
BenWoodruff
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 1:17 a.m.
I'd also vote for Mike Torello from Crime Story...
BenWoodruff
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 1:15 a.m.
Lt. Jim Dangle or Deputy Clementine Johnson!
DJBudSonic
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 12:58 a.m.
Rick Deckard.
motorcycleminer
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 12:19 a.m.
Fictional hell...how about just a real one or two....
LXIX
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 12:13 a.m.
The DDA gets to laugh because most of the fictional cops fans lionize frequently deal with and then put away their corrupted government officials. The heroic characters have to remain fictional here or there would not be any more laughing DDA.
timjbd
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 12:07 a.m.
Lieutenant Frank Drebin.
metrichead
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 3:08 a.m.
Voted up.
Ryan J. Stanton
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 1:55 a.m.
Good call.
LA
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 12:52 a.m.
Excellent!!
MajorPaul
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 12:04 a.m.
I'm a bit surprised not to see 'Walking Tall's' Buford Pusser mentioned anywhere. Of course, I'm voting for the "original " Pusser, played by Joe Don Baker. Never bothered to see the other one. But alas, we're in Ann Arbor. If we were tasked to vote for a more realistic representational cast, I suppose Hank Mann and Ford Sterling would've filled the role adequately (Keystone Cops).
racerx
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 11:51 p.m.
McCloud so we can hog-tie all them bandits!
dconkey
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 11:39 p.m.
My first choice was Harry Callahan, but of the choices listed, I went with Barney Fife. I figured he would fit right in with the government of Ann Arbor.
Brad
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 11:52 p.m.
If Deputy Fife were here he'd be the one guarding the "Radius" artwork in the Justice Center from us mere taxpayers. Making us give up belt buckles and cell phones to behold the fruits of our "percent for art" program.
jcj
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 11:23 p.m.
Lt. Farraday from the 50's TV series Boston Blackie.
a2badger
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 11:14 p.m.
Officer Krumke!
huh7891
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 11:02 p.m.
Kojak...or Dano.
jns131
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 7:15 p.m.
Book em Dano......
Solitude
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 4:28 a.m.
Nice! Kojak was the man. I nominate the detectives of Barney Miller's 12 Precinct for backup.
Treelover
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 10:52 p.m.
This just goes to show why no one will purchase the Ann Arbor News and we have to read a glorified blog...really.... Not only did I stop purchasing the "newspaper" I will stop looking at this nonsense. Too bad we do not a good news resource.
mady
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:05 p.m.
(Putting an index finger in each ear and blowing a nice wet raspberry) Oh, lighten up you'll enjoy life more!
Top Cat
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 1:11 p.m.
Stuff like this makes a lot of people smile. So go read about Syria if you crave something grim.
TryingToBeObjective
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 4:27 p.m.
It's creative, lighthearted, and beats an article about the newest Subway or McDonalds (no offense to those restaurants). There's not much going on in the summer. At least next week will no put bring some news about the interviews for the new AAPS superintendent.
Boo Radley
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 11:10 a.m.
This is the best thing about an online news source ... things can be added to lighten the mood and have a little fun. Something there is not usually space for in a printed newspaper, and it wouldn't have the interactive commenting that makes it worthwhile anyway.
Little Patience
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 2:35 a.m.
Someone is cranky tonight...
Paula Gardner
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 2:31 a.m.
The rest of us are having fun for a minute.
dconkey
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 11:39 p.m.
So why are you reading this article or posting on it?
Ricebrnr
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 10:52 p.m.
I would vote for the fabled beat and bicycle patrol officers of years gone by. Apparently a fantasy by today's standards..
jns131
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 7:14 p.m.
So the officer rings the bell and says to the criminal get in the basket.
Brad
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 10:41 p.m.
"Good cop and bad cop left for the day. I'm a different kind of cop." Vic Mackey - The Shield
Rosarium
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 10:03 p.m.
Tough Chicago cop Jimmy Malone in The Untouchables, played by Sean Connery.
Basic Bob
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 9:24 p.m.
Sergeant Stadanko
Boo Radley
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 9:19 p.m.
Angie Dickinson (Sgt. Pepper Anderson)!
Solitude
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 9:19 p.m.
I can't believe you left out Marshall Sam McCloud. And what about Commissioner Stuart McMillan and Sgt. Enright, or Steve McGarrett? Come on now. Those Law & Order rookies don't even belong in the same conversation as McCloud and Five-O.
jns131
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 7:13 p.m.
Forgetting the same time frame. What about McMillan and Wife?
Solitude
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 9:46 p.m.
Of course, Pete and Link and Julie were the all-time best, even if they were just undercover agents. We also can't forget Pepper Anderson.
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 9:06 p.m.
I can't believe nobody's complaining that I left off Detective John Kimble. That was a huge lapse of judgment on my part.
DonBee
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 6:24 p.m.
How about Vic Mackey? Olivia Benson? Odafin Tutuola?
Dog Guy
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 12:12 a.m.
I loved it when Kimble called for backup at Astoria Elementary School and Rich Kinsey responded.
jns131
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 8:48 p.m.
Sorry but I go way back to Day The Earth Stood Still. Go get em Gort.
mady
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:10 p.m.
and for goodness sake don't be sorry you've got nothing to be sorry for! Gort would clean up the streets!
mady
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5:02 p.m.
jns131, TOTALLY agree!!! Don't mess with Gort or he'll melt your car/tank/howitzer/whatever!
HermanP
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 8:47 p.m.
"modern-day, real-world Ann Arbor"???????????? What world are you living in? If some residents and council people have their way cops will have to get a hall pass and a 2/3 vote of the people just to leave the station and use a radar gun, let alone a video camera.
Nerak
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 8:46 p.m.
How about Cagney & Lacy? Or Zeva David (well, maybe not the Feds). The list is too male-oriented.
LA
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 12:50 a.m.
ZEVA is the best!!! How about Cagney and Lacy? No one has even mentioned the Mod Squad..impressive restraint!
Hugh Giariola
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 8:32 p.m.
Jimmy McNulty from The Wire!
Jeremy
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 3:33 p.m.
Bunk is on the list, but I would prefer Lester Freeman to McNulty.
dogpaddle
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 8:25 p.m.
How about Will's partner from Will and Grace?
Linda Peck
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 8:20 p.m.
With all of the important police issues we have here in Ann Arbor, you come up with this poll? If the DDA has the inclination that this is some kind of a joke, having beat cops downtown, they don't deserve the responsibility of serving our community.
mady
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 5 p.m.
Jeez Linda, isn't life sooooo much better with un-knotted shorts? trust me on this, I wasted a lot of of time walking around wearing knotted shorts until I decided not to live that way. Whew. Life is good now!
Linda Peck
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 11:09 p.m.
You guys are right, I would vote myself down on this one. I must have had my shorts in a knot.
jcj
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 9:58 p.m.
Relax! This is one of the better polls we've seen!
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 9:10 p.m.
Nobody's suggesting police work isn't serious business. Just trying to have a little fun!
cyndiocyndi
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 7:47 p.m.
Deputy Dawg, Dag Nabit!
Dog Guy
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 7:29 p.m.
Now that Marshal Matt Dillon is retired from Dodge City, he might like to do some double-dipping in Ann Arbor.
DonBee
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 6:11 p.m.
Homeland - Should have been the Timex spokesperson then.
Homeland Conspiracy
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 2:27 a.m.
Marshal Dillon was shot 56 times
A2comments
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 7:23 p.m.
Or Judge Dredd? I'd vote for Harry Callahan to deal with the paint sprayers...
M
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 11:34 p.m.
You save money, as he's both judge, jury, *and* executioner.
Wurfel
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 7:54 p.m.
Judge Dredd for the Paint Sprayers!
BernieP
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 7:14 p.m.
nor any love for Joe Friday or Bill Gannon.
Homeland Conspiracy
Sat, Jul 6, 2013 : 2:25 a.m.
1 Adam 12 see the man
jns131
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 8:50 p.m.
I remember all of them and even Emergency too. How about Hill Street Blues? Another great one. Then send em up to LA Law for some tough justice. Thanks for the memories.
Paula Gardner
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 7:30 p.m.
It is interesting to see how many names of fictional cops that come to mind!
DonBee
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 7:27 p.m.
Or Ponch from CHiPs or Broadrick Crawford from Highway Patrol or Ironside... Hundreds of good police officers as role models. I think personally I would take Matt Dillon.
Paula Gardner
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 7:19 p.m.
Nor Malloy and Reed.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 7:08 p.m.
no love for Harry Callahan?
A2comments
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 7:27 p.m.
Groan on Ryan's response.
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 7:14 p.m.
You just made my day.