Catalogue Number
NMLH.2023.54
Object Name
Poster
Title
Communication. That's what you need in the police.
Date
1972-1982
Description
The Poster Collective was a collective formed in 1971 at the Slade School of Art,  a group formed to initially produce posters in response to the miners strike and on the wars in both Vietnam and Ireland. It was formed on the basis of developing a coherent visual style, which addressed the political issues of the time. This included the armed struggles against colonialism in Africa, the struggle of women for equal rights and the continuing struggle against racism. The collective was active in the 70's and 80's, producing posters on a wide range of issues, including for educational purposes. The group was not-for-profit and used a variety of hand-printing techniques to create their posters. This is a white poster with black text and a black print of a police officer smiling above the heads of schoolchildren. Text reads: "Communication. That's what you need in the police. / You hear a lot these days about the inability of one generation to make itself understood by another. It's a
problem a policeman knows only too well because he has to deal with the often violent results of non-communication. Which is why it is part of his job to get through to people of all ages, at all levels. It isn't always easy, but it is always necessary. Society is changing at an unprecedented rate. Crime becomes more and more organised, traffic more congested. Racial tension and social unrest are serious problems. We all dutifully express corncern. But a policeman is out there in the thick of things, doing something about it, holding a blance between the needs of the community and the rights of the individual. Ask him how he copes with it all and, ten to one, he'll just say that the satisfaction of the job makes up for the knocks. Being a policeman will test any man. He'll need tact, intelligence, patience, and guts. And, in an increasingly complex organisation, he'll have a better chance than most of using his brains and education. It's a good job for all of us that our police have
got what it takes. Making a career in the police. If you think you, or anyone you know, would be interested in a career in the police, write to: Police Careers office, Home Office. For thoseunder 19 there are opportunities to join as cadets. / Britain's police, doing a freat job." Underneath the text and photograph there is another photograph, this time in red, with text underneath reading " 'I took this shot in Armargh in July 1970. It was a propaganda 'set-up' for use in British papers and other reactionary media across the world. I did lots like this at various times." Whilst at first glance the poster may be supporting the police, the inclusion of this photograph satirises the propaganda efforts of the English state to combat the bad press police received during The Troubles in Ireland. The poster makes fun of efforts to present the police as brave and recruit more police officers.
