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“Henning Baum Mission”: At RTL, the police are still in black and white
Written by Eric Mittmann
Leipzig – With “Use of Henning Baum – Behind the Scenes of Police” wanted RTL Not just a documentary, but the “naked truth” about men and women in uniform. Not an easy task, at least believes TAG24 editor Eric Mittmann. Especially if you approach the topic with an ancient worldview.
Looking seriously forward, the cap is loose on his head: Actor Henning Baum (48) is ready to go. © TVNOW / Ann Malo
Even with the first pictures, you ask yourself who produced this documentary, only to quickly realize: Oh yeah, it was RTL.
Will you pull the trigger when it comes to your life? Actor Henning Baum (48) breathes purposefully from the outside, while putting out a gun, and in the next moment, scenes of demonstrations and riots can be seen. Okay, so we’re actually shooting demonstrations?
“Would you remain calm if you are attacked?” Uff, you just got the curve. “Do you want to be a police officer if you experience pure hatred?” Oh my God, what do you expect here?
Anyway, Henning Baum will try. In normal life he’s just an actor, but for RTL he sneaks into his main role again. “I want to dive into the role of the policeman.”
The G20 and George Floyd are dealt every minute
The new RTL documentary with him about the German police is exactly what you’d expect from an RTL documentary about the police: a black and white representation of men and women in uniform. However, the movie lacked thought. © TVNOW / Ann Malo
In fact, the actor’s behavior makes you feel as though you are dealing with a “lost time” old man, he says during the movie.
They flirt with police cadets when monitoring traffic. In between, “The Last Bull” of course can prove that it can stand up to the little ones by passing the police entrance exam – poorly. What is the role of the police? Simple black and white thinking, good versus evil.
But Henning Baum wants to present the “naked truth” about the German police, has been trained to do so, is patrolling and is even present at the anti-corona parade in Leipzig in November 2020.
Major events highlighted by the police and their actions have been repeatedly dealt with in the focus of public attention in recent years. G20, attempted assault on the Reichstag in August 2020, until the murder of George Floyd. Complex moments, which in themselves require years of debate, are set in a 90-minute documentary by RTL. Why bother with her for so long? Everything is proportional anyway.
And if something goes wrong, it happens outside. The case of Muhammad A., which was resolved by a police officer in DüsseldorfKneeling on the head of the 15-year-old is captured. Everything is proportional. The teenager was known to assault, the officers had to pay attention to self-protection and the next day Muhammad already fought again.
The correct chat groups are not even mentioned
TAG24 Editor Eric Mittmann. © Eric Mittmann
To be on the safe side, Henning participates in training the Leipzig Police, in which hand movements are practiced to calm people. “It makes it strong, but without any pain,” Mr. dehard evaluates the procedure after testing it in a safe room.
Meanwhile, shots from the water hoses should be avoided. However, the police only use it “until evil is quickly calmed down.”
No talk of right-wing chat groups that have been revealed repeatedly in the past few months. About threatening emails directed at left-wing politician Janine Whistler, 39, in Hesse, fear of right-wing networks within the police or the disbanding of entire units due to their relationship with National Socialism.
Because this has been neglected until now: Police work is difficult, no doubt. Officials deserve respect for what they do every day. Because of the risks they take to protect the lives of others and the stress they have to endure, whether it be on patrol, during an operation, or during a demonstration.
It is not about placing men and women in military uniform under public suspicion. However, if you want to communicate the “naked truth” about the police, you also have to deal with their dark sides, without black / white thinking and the old man’s demeanor. Clumsy “Maybe not perfect, but who is this?” not enough.
Banner photo: TVNOW / Ann Malo
