DETROIT, MI -- The new "RoboCop" remake storyline about an honest cop who seeks justice in the corrupt Detroit Police Department is disappointing, but not a surprise to those with experience on the actual force.

Like other movies associated with Detroit, "RoboCop" appears to be the latest film to capitalize on a stereotype of the city as the most dangerous in the U.S. with a lawless, irresponsible department, said Adam Madera, a DPD public information officer.

"We just chalk it up to them selling the movie," Madera said. "That's show business ... I guess."

Madera, who hasn't seen the movie, was briefed Monday on the "RoboCop" remake's content by MLive.com and said the department is working hard to serve the community better under the leadership of new Detroit Police Chief James Craig and rebuild its image.

And to Madera's knowledge, nobody associated with the "RoboCop" remake consulted with the DPD or tipped the department off about the storyline and how it would be portrayed in the 108-minute film. The film debuted last Wednesday.

"It's disappointing, especially now with everything going on in the city and department," Madera said. "We're trying to re-image everything - with the city, the department. It's easy to kick people when they're down."

No easy job

Mark Diaz, Detroit Police Officers Association president, hasn't seen the movie either, but is familiar with the plot, previous "RoboCop" films (there's three of them) and the typical stereotypes the city's 1,820 officers face.

Diaz said officers take pride in rebuilding the DPD's image and have jobs with so many demands within the city's 142 square miles that they are stretched to the limit on a daily basis.

"The biggest misconception I think our officers face is that people might think they are just sitting around eating donuts and drinking coffee instead of answering calls," Diaz said. "Generally, the officers are getting off duty past the time they are supposed to because they are fielding high-priority runs where people are absolutely getting victimized by criminals.

"It's not your average cat in the tree call or sitting on a corner writing a ticket."

Diaz, 38 said he enjoyed the first "RoboCop" when it came out in 1987 and is at least intrigued by the remake because he does at least support the idea of a bionic lawman saving Detroit from wrongdoers.

"It sounds like you're giving me a reason to go see the movie as a business expense," Diaz said laughing. "I'm happy, obviously, that the theme of this 'RoboCop' is fighting crime and making things better for the citizens of Detroit.

"And I'll be really honest with you: I'm not going to put a lot of credence to the negative attributes to the city of Detroit (in the film); we all know the stereotypes. The reality is we have the hardest working cops around, and they are working for very low wages."

The "RoboCop" remake has a multi-layered plot that includes a weapons deal gone bad between some corrupt police officers and a Detroit crime boss. The crimes committed end up part of a coverup administered by the department's police chief.

And there are moments in the film that mention Detroit as the most dangerous city in the country and also a line said by a military tactician training RoboCop that implies that all Detroit police chiefs are corrupt.

Madera said he isn't sure if Craig will see the movie anytime soon, and likely wouldn't take its portrayal of a city police chief personally.

"Obviously, he's a really busy guy with a lot going on," Madera said.

Public safety progress?

Craig, hired by state-appointed Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr, certainly does have a lot on his plate.

Craig, a Detroit native, wants the DPD to build on the positive news it received in January, when it was reported that homicides were down 50 percent from a year ago.

Detroit police recorded 50 percent fewer homicides as of Jan. 29, compared to through the end of January 2013.

"We had 26 at this time last year," Craig said at a Jan. 30 Detroit Police Commission meeting. "Right now were sitting at 13.

"We're sitting at a 22 percent reduction in overall crime."

Carjackings for the month decreased 7 percent and nonfatal shootings 7.2 percent from the same period in 2013, "so overall we're still trending downward," Craig said.

Craig arrived in Detroit last July and set a goal of reducing overall crime by 5 percent by the time 2013 came to an end. He succeeded.

Detroit recorded 14 percent fewer homicides, 7 percent less violent crimes and a 7 percent decline in property crime in 2013, compared to 2012.

Among the initiatives Craig credits for the success of the department are three large raids that targeted multiple high-crime neighborhoods and housing complexes.

Nothing like a movie

Ironically, despite painting the DPD in a negative light, filming of "RoboCop" actually appeared to reap a few benefits for the area.

The project, according to the Michigan Film Office, was partially shot in Detroit and hired 81 Michigan workers for a full-time equivalent of three jobs.

"RoboCop" was awarded an incentive of $294,312 by the film office for the work on $1,057,356 of projected in-state expenditures for second unit shoots.

An attempt to reach the Michigan Film Office to seek comment on the film's release was unsuccessful.

Actor Joel Kinnaman plays the role of officer Alex Murphy (who eventually becomes RoboCop) in the remake of the 1987 original.

And it's and action-packed one full of explosions, shootouts, conspiracy, insight about RoboCop's internal struggle of being both man and machine, dramatic chase scenes and sci-fi special effects.

In reality, though, Diaz said the job of an officer in Detroit is far from entertaining or glamorous.

"It's very serious and it's very honest work," Diaz said. "We like to say our people are doing God's work. So, taking that into consideration, I guess I'm just going to have to go see the movie and take it for face value: it's a movie.

Curious to know what more about the film? Check out MLive entertainment writer John Serba's review.

The film's synopsis posted on the Internet Movie Database's website:

"In RoboCop, the year is 2028 and multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology. Their drones are winning American wars around the globe and now they want to bring this technology to the home front.

Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) is a loving husband, father and good cop doing his best to stem the tide of crime and corruption in Detroit. After he is critically injured in the line of duty, OmniCorp utilizes their remarkable science of robotics to save Alex’s life.

He returns to the streets of his beloved city with amazing new abilities, but with issues a regular man has never had to face before."