One thing only: Why we love Line of Duty’s bent copper crusade

Superintendent Ted Hastings is interested in one thing, and one thing only – and that’s nicking bent coppers. But you probably already knew that. Probably because you’re one of the record 9.6 million who tuned in to catch the premiere of Line of Duty’s sixth series – or maybe you’ve not watched it yet but you’re hearing the hype. But what is so compelling about this show – what has it tapped into? Short answer: I think the show has met our emotional and moral moment: we can’t trust our institutions and leaders anymore, but we’re more desperate then ever for justice. Week by week, Line of Duty invites us to join its costly crusade against corruption, and with almost religious fervour, many of us are certainly invested.

Since this is a youth work website, we should say that we don’t think many young people are watching this show – it’s probably not a conversation starter for your next youth gathering. But perhaps it’s a resource that can help us stretch and rethink our practice as adult leaders. Between cynicism and hope, where are we? What does anti-corruption look like in the Church? How do we fight for light in a dark world, without being compromised ourselves?

Nicking bent coppers

The show has stood out from the beginning for its unique vantage point – it’s a cop show but they’re not after your regular wrong ‘uns – they’re chasing bent coppers. And as the crowded rogue’s gallery pinned up in AC-12 testifies, there’s a lot of them out there. Six seasons in and the gangrenous spread of a shadowy OCG (Organised Crime Group) and its cruel grip on numerous officers of the law seems to know no end. This is a show that confronts institutional corruption head on – it’s cynical about human nature but perhaps even more cynical about organisations and authorities – where evil is shrouded by the collusion of a self-interested collective. The bent coppers aren’t just bad apples – they’re always indicative of a wider web of wrongdoing.

The reality of institutional corruption is a familiar one to us now. The show borrows from real-life stories of the police, media and politics. In the Church, too, it’s one we’re having to frequently confront: tragic stories of abuse at the hands of powerful leaders, followed by lies upon lies. When the truth is finally out, the wildfire of destruction has already run its course, leaving in its wake both broken lives and institutions we can no longer trust. Christian preachers might find in this show a rich illustration of the destructive and deceptive power of sin. It often begins with the best of intentions – a little lie, a quiet blind eye – but soon those officers of the law find they’ve been trapped into doing the unspeakable.

"As the Church has experienced recently, such as in the unmasking of Ravi Zacharias through the brave voice of Lori Anne Thompson, it can take years of courageous, much-maligned truth-telling for the abused to be believed. After all, the corrupt have power: resources, reputation, and a pliable community are on their side."

The rampant corruption infects all aspects of an individual’s life until it has swallowed them whole. It reaches beyond institutions and across generations – spoilers for season five/six here – consider how the gobby estate kid Ryan has been effectively groomed from a young age by criminals since the show’s beginning, and now emerges years later as a celebrated (but unfortunately homicidal) junior police officer. There’s something quite tragic about watching that happen in something close to real time, given we’ve watched the actor grow up over the years. If not quite as dramatic, many youth workers may know similar stories of watching someone vulnerable fall through the system and into abusive, destructive cultures.

Counting the cost

The crusade of anti-corruption is an imperilled one, because it goes head-to-head with the ostensibly virtuous and noble. “There is no evidence of institutional corruption in the police”, dubious authorities proudly proclaim – whilst the audience of course knows better. Again, as the Church has experienced recently, such as in the unmasking of Ravi Zacharias through the brave voice of Lori Anne Thompson, it can take years of courageous, much-maligned truth-telling for the abused to be believed. After all, the corrupt have power: resources, reputation, and a pliable community are on their side. And who could speak ill of the 'Lord's anointed'?

I find catharsis in Line of Duty’s anti-institutionalism – it’s refreshing to have that evil named and thrilling to feel like it could be extinguished by a virtuous few. But it’s also painful when I remember just how much this Sunday night entertainment resembles our real world. The show is also realistic in its portrayal of the cost of combatting corruption. The show’s three heroes (we really hope none of them are bent) have fought bravely in this crusade for years, and while they’ve rooted out evil, they’ve also watched their personal lives slowly fall apart. They each live isolated, broken in different ways. They’ve fought the good fight, but for little reward, discovering the painful reality that it doesn’t always pay to do the right thing. Again, for those who’ve committed to ending injustices in this world, it’s a sobering reminder that virtue is costly.

Joy in the dark

This is grim discourse for already grim days – and it feels imperative to mention that this is not a joyless show, but makes important space, amidst the tragic, for warmth, love, and the euphoria of a truly righteous mission. There’s a rich camaraderie between DS Steve Arnott and DI Kate Fleming, won between curry nights and clandestine underpass 1-1s. Meanwhile their beloved gaffer Ted (“I’m the epitome of an ancient battle”) Hastings takes the prize for crowd-pleasing one-liners, and just some of the best catchphrases you’ve ever heard. He didn’t float up the lagan in a bubble you know. “Mother of God…now we’re sucking diesel…the letter of the law – the letter!” Et cetera.

The show’s love of catchphrases, obscure jargon and acronyms cements a faithful bond with the audience. It’s not going to explain what a CHIS or GSW or OCG is – you’re going to look it up and feel special because you know – you’re in on this crusade. Every series features the words “in the line of duty” somewhere (how long till they say it to camera?), and as the memes attest, when Ted says “I’m interested in one thing and one thing only…”, the nation collectively jumps for joy. “Bent coppers!” Get them Ted.