Sheffield Police Daylight Cinema Van
| Published date | 01 January 1952 |
| Author | W. Parnham |
| Date | 01 January 1952 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X5202500111 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
SHEFFIELD
POLICE
DAYLIGHT
CINEMA
VAN 49
the ordinary police evidence. Its introduction in a criminal prosecu-
tion is only advisable when it is strong and convincing, and forms an
essential part in the presentation of a case. Nothing is more detrimental
to the reliability of this new aspect of criminal investigation than cases
lost in court through the introduction of weak or unsound scientific
evidence.
Sheffield
Police
Daylight
Cinema
Van
By W. PARNHAM, M.B.E.
Assistant
Chief
Constable,
City
of Sheffield Police
PUBLI CIT Y and propaganda are increasingly important in police
work,
but
shortage of man-power and materials often makes
improvisation necessary to cope with the growing range of duties.
In
the Sheffield City Force experience of Road Safety exhibitions,
lecturing to youth clubs and other organisations, etc., has provided
convincing proof that visual aids in the shape of films, film strips, and
slides, produce better results than any other medium, and recent efforts
have been concentrated on this type of education wherever possible.
AI6-mm. Bell-Howell Gaumont sound projector was therefore
obtained early in
1950,
and many shows were given during the following
summer and winter.
The
whole outfit is contained in three conveniently sized cases and
by purchasing two extra lenses and two collapsible screens it was possible
to provide an efficient show at short notice either in an ordinary room
or a large hall, according to the size of the audience.
The
growing demand for film displays eventually raised the
question of daylight exhibitions and it was decided to purchase a
Daylight Film screen which, with ar-in. lens, enabled shows to be
provided without the trouble of blacking-out rooms.
The
success of these shows in
turn
led to consideration of the use of
Daylight Cinema Vans for outdoor work,
but
the inevitably high hire
charges, together with the fact that such vehicles must naturally be
booked well in advance, raised some local difficulty.
The
Chief Constable (Mr. G. E. Scott, O.B.E.) therefore gave
instructions for experiments to be carried out with a redundant Patrol
van, with a view to adaption for outside film displays.
This
work was
carried out under the supervision of Chief Inspector A. Andrews, the
officer-in-charge of the Mechanical Transport Department of the Force,
and although a
number
of unexpected snags cropped up the job was
completed in a few days.
Originally a translucent screen at the rear of the vehicle was
contemplated,
but
the structure of the van made this impracticable and
an aperture was therefore cut in the nearside wall near the passenger
F
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