Reporter: Jane Hutcheon

Streets with lots of traffic, people

Traffic noise

01.00.00.00

traffic cops, sign, reflection, people on bridge, traffic cops

v/o:  In Beijing the traffic gets so bad it's a constant topic of conversation.  The motorists hate the cyclists, cyclists hate pedestrians but everybody hates the traffic cops. 

They can be a sloppy lot - surly and uncouth.

But one Chinese city decided enough was enough - it grew tired of sloppy cops.  The city created a force unrivalled in the country - a breed of policeman that was better, stronger, faster.

Cop directing traffic, fast motion

Music

v/o: In a two hour shift, this super cop Li Dachen will make more than 2000 arm movements and 1600 turns.

00.56

Pan of cops in formation

People in unison:  Enforce the law strictly, serve the people warm heartedly.  One, two, three, four ...

v/o:  They are the inspirational words of China's President Jiang Zemin and the force's motto. 

They've brought the Edinburgh tattoo to the hum-drum task of directing traffic, the clock-work gestures an effort to garner the respect of motorists.

Super:

Comm. LI CHANGSHUI

Jinan Public Security Bureau

Li Changshui:  The gestures shows our police are a quality force. It promotes the idea of socialist spiritualism.  You can't be casual in directing the traffic, you need to use precise gestures.

01.35

Pictures of women police, women police, policewoman at work

v/o:  The force was proud to reveal that a total of 14 women have now joined the esteemed ranks of the Jinan traffic police.  And she's not just a pretty face.

01.56

Policewoman:  So he's not feeling very well eh?

Old Woman:  He's had a stroke.  I have to take him to the hospital every morning.

Policewoman:  Slowly now ... what are you doing?

Man:  Collecting waste.

v/o:  Shi Li is the top cop on the intersection.

02.24

Interview with Lhi Li, directing traffic

Shi Li:  The only thing I'm worried about in this line of duty is my skin.  I worry it will get rough and I'll become ugly.  But society supports us.  The people give us free make up and skin care, so I really appreciate them.

v/o:  And the people really appreciate the police - even it seems the traffic offenders.

02.49

When Jinan authorities transformed the police, they also changed rule by fear and arbitrary punishment. 

Policeman with motorcyclist, speaks with him

This man has just been caught riding his motorbike in a cycling lane.  But the Jinan response is not a fine, but instant active duty.

Policeman:  The side lane is for bicycles and not vehicles.  Secondly, it's a restricted area for motorcyclists.  You're not allowed to ride a motorbike here.

03.14

Man:  Yes I know that now and I'll pay more attention next time.

Policeman:  Please go and take a flag and stand on duty for a while.

Man with flag

Cop directing traffic

v/o:  Watching the grace and style of Li Dachen makes you wonder whether directing traffic might become an Olympic sport.  And for some of these people the effort put into this work leaves them physically exhausted at the end of the day.

03.40

For Mr. Li and his wife Jiang Yun it's a tough life.  Some weeks he doesn't get a day off.

Jiang Yun and Mr. Li, interview with Jiang Yun

Jiang Yun:  He rarely helps me with the chores.  When he comes back home, I've already finished them.  There's nothing left for him to do.

Last year we often ate at 10 o'clock in the evening.  After dinner he would fall asleep on the couch.

1

v/o:  The Li's are so committed to the force they want their little daughter to be part of it when she grows up.

Policeman walking with woman, people on streets

But sadly traffic control headquarters has other plans for the next generation.

04.33

Once these men and women have done their job to instil responsibility into road users - their role in traffic control will be superseded by technology.

Interview with Li Changshui, traffic on street, policeman directing traffic

Li Changshui:  If someone breaks the law, we can now film the lawbreakers - and  use the picture as evidence against him.  On the other hand, pictures of people who obey the laws can be praised in the newspapers or TV News.

v/o:  But that's still a few years off.  And in case the good people of Jinan ever forget what put them on the map, the city has erected a permanent reminder - the bronze Copper - ever standing tall in the face of challenge.

bronze statue

05.21