It was Bangkok in the height of a sweltering summer. Hamburg, Germany native producer Detlev Scholz came to Thailand with the intent to film a documentary, “Kickboxer.” Then a spark of inspiration brought him a change of heart. Scholz was once again in the dead-stop traffic heading into the Thai metropolis. The halted daily commute was wrought with unbearable temperatures of 35°C (95°F) in the shade, nearly 100% humidity and the miasmic cloud of exhaust from countless diesel engines.

Sholz sat unnerved, shooting glances out the back passenger window of a taxi. That’s when he spotted the Bangkok Baby Cops amidst the urban chaos. The cops wound through the bumper-to-bumper traffic jam blazing sirens and blue police lights. They came ready with mirrored sunglasses, Springer boots, firearms, and midwife suitcases. Probably the only special task force of their kind in the world, they have the unique duty of carving their way through packed traffic to aid in emergency roadside births. Their destination this time was the back seat of a Mitsubishi, where a pregnant Thai woman was about to become a new mother.

Speechless, Scholz watched as the Baby Cops sprang into action. Within a few short moments, a miracle had occurred. Chin Choi, scarcely 2500 grams (roughly 5.5 lbs), lay crying in the arms of his weak mother in the rear seat of the old car.

Surrounded by blood-smeared policemen, a sweaty father, and curious onlookers, Scholz realized he had found a new topic. In the following months, the film producer followed every move of the elite task force of the Thai king. Always camera-ready, Scholz captured several photographs and interviews detailing the unusual everyday life of Bangkok’s Baby Cops from an insider’s point of view. His work dramatically, authentically, and poetically illustrates the essence of the Baby Cops of Bangkok.

Defying simple definition, the four short films cannot simply be described. They are a living monument to the heroes themselves, and convey a deeper look into the rich culture of Bangkok, unseen by the common tourist.