2008 Woodie Awards
Violent video game concerns local police stations
AP
Issue date: 3/19/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
NEW HAVEN - A video game in which players win points for killing police officers is drawing protests from local and national law enforcement groups.
The game, called "25 to Life," lets players choose to be police officers or gangsters. Points are scored each time the player kills a cop, criminal or human shield.
"It's a concern because the words 'game' and 'cop killing' should never be associated together. That, to me, is a problem," West Haven Police Chief Ronald M. Quagliani said.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in Washington, D.C., is circulating an online petition against the game. The petition encourages parents and caregivers not to buy the game for children, and also asks retailers to take the game off their shelves.
Kevin J. Hale, a vice president for the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, said he expects the association will take up the issue at a future meeting, but that it hasn't yet signed the petition.
But as the police chief of Ansonia, Hale said he'd personally support the petition to protest against violence and degradation in general and against officers.
The video game has prompted concern in several Connecticut police departments, where officers say they plan to sign the petition against it.
"Even though (manufacturers) have a right to create and sell a game like that, I don't necessarily agree with it," said Lt. Thomas Fowler, a spokesman for the Branford Police Department.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund originally hoped to collect at least 17,500 signatures on its petition. As of Sunday, its Web site reported collecting almost 250,000.
The game, which went on the market in January, is a product of British video game manufacturer Eidos. It is rated for "mature" players ages 18 and older because of its depiction of violence, drug references, sexual themes and language.
California representatives of Eidos did not return calls.
The game, called "25 to Life," lets players choose to be police officers or gangsters. Points are scored each time the player kills a cop, criminal or human shield.
"It's a concern because the words 'game' and 'cop killing' should never be associated together. That, to me, is a problem," West Haven Police Chief Ronald M. Quagliani said.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in Washington, D.C., is circulating an online petition against the game. The petition encourages parents and caregivers not to buy the game for children, and also asks retailers to take the game off their shelves.
Kevin J. Hale, a vice president for the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, said he expects the association will take up the issue at a future meeting, but that it hasn't yet signed the petition.
But as the police chief of Ansonia, Hale said he'd personally support the petition to protest against violence and degradation in general and against officers.
The video game has prompted concern in several Connecticut police departments, where officers say they plan to sign the petition against it.
"Even though (manufacturers) have a right to create and sell a game like that, I don't necessarily agree with it," said Lt. Thomas Fowler, a spokesman for the Branford Police Department.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund originally hoped to collect at least 17,500 signatures on its petition. As of Sunday, its Web site reported collecting almost 250,000.
The game, which went on the market in January, is a product of British video game manufacturer Eidos. It is rated for "mature" players ages 18 and older because of its depiction of violence, drug references, sexual themes and language.
California representatives of Eidos did not return calls.