Officer Friendly

I remember the Officer Friendly campaign from when I was a youngster, but I don't remember street cops from my childhood, and I certainly don't recognize the idealized world father and son illustrators Hy Hintermeisters depict in their series from the '50s. It appears to be a suburban enclave where avuncular police officers help little white children get to and from school. Yes, Rockwellesque but I think the Hintermeisters were not as clear-eyed about America as Norman was.

This illustration is going for approachable but serious. I'm not sure that's the message 

that was needed.

It's not clear what's going on here but it's a bit disturbing.

Yes, entitled princess crossing.

I'm not personally familiar with the world the Hintermeister's set this series in 

but it's not unlike the one on popular television of the time.

The series seemed to be committed to displaying good behavior 

and interactions between the officer and the children.

I love this shot from the '70s. I don't really care if it's staged; it has a great vibe to it.