From what I've seen of the show I'd say it portrays a very negative image of the police. The show is nothing but drug war propaganda, and I'm amazed that they actually publicize the way police routinely intimidate citizens into allowing searches that ordinarily require a warrant.
Hey, if the cop asks a few times and they're stupid enough to give in, then so be it.
I don't like police in general, but I love watching Cops the show.
I see a different aspect. The cops, following directions from the TV crew no doubt, always casually inquire as to whether they can search the car and the do-do's invariably (at least in the episodes edited for us) say, "Yeah, go ahead," even though they know there are drugs or guns in their cars. Too dumb for words. Of course, they should have warrants but if the detainee wants to waive his rights, well, what can you do?
I also notice that the cops read them their Miranda rights and, again in the edisodes we see, the retards seem to not hear or if they do, disregard the part about not having to respond to questions and the part about being furnished an attorney, and proceed to spill their guts. I suppose they are too bombed or otherwise mentally incapacitated to understand what is being said.
Right. Ashcroft invented the show to further his gun control agenda ...