Officer Bernard

Bernard in Cops: Noir

Officer William "Bill" Bernard is a character in the *Cops* movie series. He is a partner to Officer Colten, and is featured in *Cops 1/2: The Gas Crisis,* and *Cops: Noir.* He is a protagonist in the series and plays a key role until his death when he is succeeded by Officer O'Harris.

## In Cops Noir

Officer Bernard is first seen walking alongside Officer Colten as they exit a diner one night, trading stories from their time on the force. While on patrol, the Cops come across a dilapidated house, and see Dr. RC Cola performing some experiments in his lab. They decide that the situation is suspicious enough to warrant further investigation, and enter the building. As they do so, Dr. Cola runs away, prompting Bernard to chase him. This plan does not go far however, as Bernard quickly ran out of breath due to the burger he ate at the diner saying it "really weighed him down". Upon returning to the scene, Colten and Bernard find a piece of paper which reads, *"KILL CHILDREN, PROFIT"*, and deduce that the drink, *RC Cola,* is poisoned. Worried, the Cops agree to bring it to the Chief in the morning.

At the precinct the next morning, the Cops sit down with Police Chief Joe and tell him about what they found. Bernard requests that a formal statement is made warning people not to drink the Cola, however Chief Joe denies the request and sends them back to the scene to look for more evidence. When they return to the lab however, the evidence has been all but destroyed, and Bernard suggests that they take some time to look over their evidence at the local Soda Bar.

When they get there, Bernard (after unsuccessfully trying to get Coca Cola) orders some "local cola" for him and Colten. He finds it to be very tasty and exclaims, "Schmoopidy doopidy doo! This is some good Cola!", but is disturbed once he realizes it is RC Cola. The Cops then get the shipping box from the bartender, and Bernard finds the address of the local grocery store printed on it. Bernard and Colten then leave without paying.

At the grocery store, the Cops encounter a worker and ask him about the shipment. Bernard is able to quickly sketch a clear image of Dr. Cola from the worker's description, and discover that Dr. Cola was on his way to delivering another shipment at Mike's Market. As the worker is speaking, he is shot from behind by Dr. Cola, who is then seen fleeing in the background. Colten goes to take Bernard's car, but Bernard reveals the car is in the shop (It is a Chrysler, and was purchased despite warnings from his mechanic Scotty Kilmer). Bernard then "borrows" the two bikes nearby and begin pursuit.

They chase Dr. Cola to his house, where Bernard spots a loose bike. Not wanting it to be stolen, Bernard puts his new lock on the bike and straps it to the drainpipe, before heading into the house. Once the Officers enter, they search the house and eventually enter a small workshop. Dr. Cola confronts them and reveals his plans to become the wealthiest man in America by making his drink addictive and launching a large yet fraudulent contest, which would lead people to buy the drink in the hopes of winning a nonexistent grand prize. Bernard is confused, as the Cops had believed he was trying to poison children, however Dr. Cola quickly dismisses the idea as horrible. The Cops quickly talk and realize that Dr. Cola still committed a crime by distributing an addictive drink and shooting the grocery worker, and continue to attempt an arrest. Dr. Cola escapes however, and starts a bomb in the room to kill the detectives and end the investigation. Bernard finds the door to leave, and after Colten shoots the lock, they go back outside, where Dr. Cola is struggling to cut the lock off his bike. He does manage to free the bike and begins to cycle away, but Bernard and Colten take their "borrowed" bikes and chase him across town. Dr. Cola and the Cops trade gunshots, however nobody winds up getting hit, and Dr. Cola then flees into his lab.

Once in the lab Bernard follows behind Colten's lead as they venture further into the labyrinth. Bernard carefully scans the area and watches their rear when Colten is shot by Cola causing Bernard to run forward into action. Bernard stops for a moment to regain his composure before further exploring the lab remaining calm as Dr. Cola's tricks and illusions attempt to unnerve him. Bernard eventually encounters Cola dodging a few shots before demanding he "come out where he can see him". Cola reveals himself and the two exchange gunfire as Bernard struggles to see him as the lights grow dim once more leading to him changing cover to avoid getting hit. Bernard then decides to pretend fake getting shot in order to draw out Cola into the open. This plan works allowing Bernard to disarm and incapacitate him following his boastful monologue. Bernard arrests Cola and then takes him back to the exit finding Colten after he revealed he merely was shot in his knee pad armor. Bernard then ends the video with his own narration as the duo return to the diner another night.

## In Cops 1/2

Officer Bernard is first seen shortly after Cops 1/2 begins, investigating a gas trafficking deal with Colten. When arriving on the scene, they find Giuseppe Linguine in the middle of selling a jerrycan. Seeing the cops, Giuseppe attempts to escape by throwing the can at them and running into an abandoned building.

Colten and Bernard follow him inside, cornering him. Bernard stands at Colten's side, presumably ready to arrest Giuseppe. However, Giuseppe, being a mixed martial arts master, attacks the officers before they can react. He disarms Colten and then shifts his fury to Bernard, who is helpless against the flurry of punches, and is ultimately killed when Giuseppe unleashes a mighty finishing blow; being hit so hard that his body breaks apart, sending disembodied limbs and chunks flying across the room.

## Personality

In Cops: Noir Bernard is a man of action always running into danger. He is quick to act and able to concentrate under pressure. This drives Bernard to do whatever is necessary from taking the bikes in order to purse Dr. Cola, to charging into the labyrinth in order to bring the criminal down.

Bernard is also seen to be content where he is in life, not often discussing any personal problems he may be having nor his past. When asked by Colten if he ever wished he could turn back the clock he simply replied, "nah", demonstrating his state of content.

In Cops 1/2 Bernard seems to retain his status as a man of action when he quickly pursues Giuseppe into the basement ignoring any sense of danger. In this instance though it seems Bernard's reflexes had become slowed as the mixed martial arts master surprised and killed him.

## Trivia

- Bernard wears a French gendarmerie liner in Cops 1/2 from Jack's collection because he couldn't find any other police headgear he liked.

- Bernard's hat and coat were found by Michael in antique stores before filming began.

- The reason Bernard holds such a prominent role in Cops Noir is because Jack felt that Michael needed a notable main role in a video since he is always behind the camera. This led to the creation of Noir as another prequel rather than a separate spinoff with different characters like Jack had originally planned.

## Gallery

Colten holding the disembodied hand of BernardBernard being attacked by GiuseppeColten and BernardOfficer Bernard in Cops 1/2Stop right thereInvestigatingAt the Chief's officeAt the barIn the depths