An Adverse Relationship

Celebrities and the law enforcement represent completely opposite ends of the public relations spectrum. When you get down to the symbolic connections between each word and the images it conjures, "celebrity" will often have a more positive connotation than "police officer":

The celebrities are on the red carpet, glammed up and dressed to the nines. They look pulled together, polished, and represent the quintessential celebrity couple. Who wouldn't want to be them?

This cop is overweight and eating a donut. He is in uniform, but doesn't look very professional and does not command the respect of his audience.
Though a direct image does not necessarily need to be connected to the word, "this means that the relation is arbitrary and symbolic; each word represents a concept" (1). Even before delving into and analyzing the adverse relationship between celebrities and the law, it is apparent that there is already bias because of the symbols connected to each figure's title.
When you think about it, law enforcement and celebrities should use each other to create positive images in the media. "Americans now feel a greater personal connection with celebrities in remote locations than with local legal officials. Therefore, in spite of “community policing” or “community prosecution” programs designed to build relationships with legal officials in local neighborhoods, it is reasonable to assume that Americans are still more likely to base their impressions of the criminal justice system on television programs" (2). Thus, if ad campaigns such as the "Above the Influence" and "Click It Or Ticket" campaigns that focus on following the law used celebrities, they could reach a far broader audience.
However, all too often celebrities are shown breaking the law. The U.N. Drug Agency's annual report stated: Celebrity drug offenders can profoundly influence attitudes, values and behaviour towards drug abuse, particularly among young people,” it said. “The authorities should ensure that celebrities who violate drug laws are made accountable" (3). This report was published after the scandals surrounding the drug use of Amy Winehouse, Kate Moss, and Pete Doherty. In addition, nightclubs in Los Angeles, New York, and London are known for admitting underage starlets to party the night away.
During my cultural encounter, I have encountered mostly positive images of celebrities in modern culture. It appears that this is one of the few areas with whom celebrities could improve their relationship. Unfortunately, it appears that a select group of celebrities are ruining the relationship between celebrities and the law for the rest of the bunch.


Works Cited:
1) Delaney, Carol
2004 Investigating Culture. Blackwell Publishing, Malden, MA.
2) Sherman, Lawrence W.
2001 Trust and Confidence in Criminal Justice. 21-22
3) Ford, Richard and Fresco, Adam
2008 UN Condemns Britain's Celebrity Cocaine Culture. Electronic Document, http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3486141.ece. Accessed December 3.
Image sources:
1) http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2006/stylechannel/gallery/bw_couples/will_smith300x400.jpg
2) http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2006/stylechannel/gallery/bw_couples/will_smith300x400.jpg