uite literally, every feature film, television show, commercial or music video shot in the streets of New York City has a couple of policemen behind the camera. Only they are a few footsteps away from it.

Never getting too close, and yet never straying far from the camera, the 27 officers of the NYPD Movie and Television Unit oversee all outdoor films shot in Big Apple, and in an industry that employs more than 100,000 local people and brings billions of dollars to the city.

Film studios have to apply for separate permits from the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting for each day of outdoor filming. The specifics of what the studio wants to do day to day can vary, so officers will be sent to the film site in any part of the city each morning.

The police officers mainly provide traffic control and ensure that filming is done in compliance with city regulations. In the event of problems, they make changes to facilitate the filming.

If filming involves stunts like blowing up a building or a high-speed car chase, officers require the film crew to have adequate medical staff on the premises. The police may decide a stunt might be too dangerous for the neighborhood and can stop the filming on the spot.

For the officers new to the unit, strolling the filming sets is a definite change of pace. After a while, however, the novelty wears off and their days can become routine. "You see unusual things so often that it's now a part of the job," says Officer Andrew Zagroba, who joined the unit five years ago after 15 years on the force. "Everyday is just another workday for me."

But Officer Paul Buchys, who also joined the unit five years ago after 11 years on the force, says, "Not one day is routine. We get complaints from the neighborhood people all the time." Lack of parking space is the biggest source of complaints, he says.

"I can understand their frustration," Buchys says. "But the city enjoys the tax revenue it generates. Filming studios also employ many local people and use local services."

It is hard to keep both sides happy, but Buchys enjoys the work. "I used to deal with crime … all the negative things. Here, we deal with positive things, working with the community."