Representation of law in 'The Wire' and 'A Touch of Frost'

When talking about media, representation suggests the way the media 'Re-presents' individuals, groups, events and issues. Stereotypes, archetypes and countertypes are used by the media to represent these aspects of reality. Stereotypes are used as 'visual shortcuts' as they are used so often audiences will grasp and understand what character type he is. Stereotypes can also be used as a quick reference, audience familiarity and for comic effect. Countertypes are representations that challenge the traditional stereotypical association of individuals, groups or places.
 
At the beginning of 'The Wire' the audience is shown a dead body, there has been a murder. The audience know it is a murder as they are shown police collecting evidence. The scene takes place at night in a street where there is trash on the floor and graffiti on the walls.

The conversation that had taken place between the two suggested that the murder was drug related, so we can assume that it's not a friendly neighbourhood.
The characters are dressed differently whith the detective (right) is dressed in a black leather jacket with smart black shoes and trousers. The other person is the stereotype associated with the drugs, he is wearing a black hat, torn trousers, and a grey hoodie. The type of dress code shows the character type where the smartly dressed man is the middle class detective where the other character (not as smartly dressed) is associated with the drugs and murder.

We only see males in the scene as policeman. The two people from law enforcement the audience are shown are male which could mean that males are the dominant gender (there are more males than females) in law enforcement.

In most media the police are shown in a positive light as intelligent and honest people. They have a high status and authority as they solve the crime put before them. When interviewing witnesses or potential suspects questions are usually asked one after the other and suspects can be interrogated in a rash manner (not physical aggression) so the police can get a confession or information. Although in this scene the detective is seen interacting with the friend of the victim, who could be a suspect, in an informal manner. The detective knows about the street language spoken by the friend and is mirroring the body language of the friend whilst talking to him. He is trying to get information without interrogating the friend but trying to seem like he is also from the same place the friend is from and that he understands what is being said.

The Wire might be trying to show that law enforcement aren't all that different from any other person. Police are all just people like everyone else and have no special powers, they work like everyone else and act in a similar manner. The show could also be trying to show what law enforcement is like in the modern times and how they are treated by people as well as how they treat people. 

Things are different in 'A Touch of Frost.' The opening credits suggest that the protagonist is a 'lone wolf' type character. He is a lonely old man with only his job left. The black and white scene could suggest that he lives a dull life meaning he is a workaholic with his job controlling his life. It could also mean that something traumantic has happened to him in the past and is the reason he is still a detective putting criminals behind bars at his age.

The scene shown is set at day which could signify that crime takes place at any time of the day, whether it be light or dark out. The protgonist is rather old and he uses this to his advantage in the scene masquerading as a normal old age pensioner who needs some help with his van. His old age could also mean that he is very experienced, authority figure who deserves respect.

The police were shown as taking charge when they were arresting the criminals.

This shows police as organised and in a positive light of the media as it shows that 'they always get their man' and that a little struggle is not a problem. The police shown here are all in uniform adding to the organised factor and to establish character type to the audience.

We are shown many shots of the protagonist as the camera continues to look at him giving orders to all the other police. This obviously means that he is the authority figure.
Although like in 'The Wire,' you don't see a great deal many females in the scene. A female does appear later on the scene talking to the protagonis although not for very long and it is only that singlr female. Once again this could state that the dominant gender in law enforcement is male.