Perp Walks: When Police Roll Out the Blue Carpet

Perp walk: Unfair maneuver or a strong warning to would-be criminals?

What happens when the police roll out the ‘blue carpet’? We take a look at the modern history of perp walks – the practice of parading the accused before a well choreographed media scrum. The ritual is the bane of criminal defense attorneys, but a boon for journalists and tabloid photographers, and there are no signs it will be disappearing anytime soon.

For teachers
  • Producer: Bonnie Bertram
  • Editor: Anne Checler
  • Reporter: Sandra McDaniel