Driven to contain threats to social order, American policing has exploded in scope and scale over hundreds of years. Now, it can be described by one word: power.Driven to contain threats to social order, American policing has exploded in scope and scale over hundreds of years. Now, it can be described by one word: power.Driven to contain threats to social order, American policing has exploded in scope and scale over hundreds of years. Now, it can be described by one word: power.
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To some of us this information is unfortunately not new. Hate it or love it these are the facts and it's an ugly truth. More people should watch it and really drink it in. A good watch IMO. The negative reviews are very telling of the mind set that holds us all back in one way or another. It makes you think what is even the point of law enforcement especially knowing what we know now in this day and age. Makes you really wonder who are they really protecting? It's definitely not the poor. Regardless of ethnicity if you're not in the 1% you're pretty much screwed. The system is not broken it is designed purposely this way smh.
The documentary is really constructed using and reinforcing biased social theories to try and lead viewers to a desired conclusion as most documentaries do. Unfortunately there are a lot of inferences and truthfully flawed correlations used in trying to paint ultimately what the documentary clearly wishes to portray, which is a Marxian portrayal of police conflict theory.
There are sociologists with intimate knowledge on policing vs those who have a surface level solely academic comprehension on the topic which is unfortunately the source of choice used in the piece. I don't think those with intimate knowledge of policing who try and move the field forward would work very well within the constructs of this piece as it's more likely to contradict the desired outcome of what is ultimately a flawed portrayal on the policing entity. Which is likely the reason you didn't see many "experts" with those qualifications used in the film.
A system designed and modified by those voted into power via a democratic system, implementing and changing laws via a democratic system, being interpreted by states attorneys and judges put in place by a democratic system, judged for their actions both socially and by those put in place by a democratic system, still somehow socially falls squarely on the shoulders of single entity that is also a reflection of the majority of society due to the democratic process (the very thing democracy is supposed to be) isn't especially logical. Conflict theory will find a problem in every situation at it's very foundation. The police could hand out candy all day and take no law enforcement action and conflict theory would still tell you how the police are the problem because someone would still benefit from what is the spear of a significant social tool and face of the justice system. It's systemic with conflict theory and will always exist.
Policing isnt a rogue entity. It is a fluid reflection of society at all points through America's history. There are checks and balances. Politically, judicially, and ultimately by we the voters who hold the entire system accountable.
There are sociologists with intimate knowledge on policing vs those who have a surface level solely academic comprehension on the topic which is unfortunately the source of choice used in the piece. I don't think those with intimate knowledge of policing who try and move the field forward would work very well within the constructs of this piece as it's more likely to contradict the desired outcome of what is ultimately a flawed portrayal on the policing entity. Which is likely the reason you didn't see many "experts" with those qualifications used in the film.
A system designed and modified by those voted into power via a democratic system, implementing and changing laws via a democratic system, being interpreted by states attorneys and judges put in place by a democratic system, judged for their actions both socially and by those put in place by a democratic system, still somehow socially falls squarely on the shoulders of single entity that is also a reflection of the majority of society due to the democratic process (the very thing democracy is supposed to be) isn't especially logical. Conflict theory will find a problem in every situation at it's very foundation. The police could hand out candy all day and take no law enforcement action and conflict theory would still tell you how the police are the problem because someone would still benefit from what is the spear of a significant social tool and face of the justice system. It's systemic with conflict theory and will always exist.
Policing isnt a rogue entity. It is a fluid reflection of society at all points through America's history. There are checks and balances. Politically, judicially, and ultimately by we the voters who hold the entire system accountable.
No pun intended - the documentary is trying to shine a light into the power police has (in the US) ... which may exceed enormously from what they were intended to have and be for the people. As a comic book hero said: with great power comes great responsibility. It is easy to paint a whole force as bad - what needs to happen is trying to root out the bad people and find a way to have people who are secure in their job and their attitude.
Because let's keep it real: it is not an easy job. But that is why you need way better training for those who want to actually become and help the people ... with the power that they hold. The movie makes a few good points, but could go deeper on others. Also this is as I already stated confined to America ... but the world is so complex you could never have done all of the police ...
Because let's keep it real: it is not an easy job. But that is why you need way better training for those who want to actually become and help the people ... with the power that they hold. The movie makes a few good points, but could go deeper on others. Also this is as I already stated confined to America ... but the world is so complex you could never have done all of the police ...
Was very very poorly put together. I was so excited to watch but it turned into a major disappointment. The film uses footage from other countries even though it's all about policing in the U. S. and for some reason while they are talking about the police they keep showing films of nuclear weapons testing lol??? Very odd movie and a huge shame that they couldn't have made this better about a very important topic in our country:/ hopefully someone better can come along and get this topic right in the future. Surprised Netflix let this air?? I would have thought they would have teams of reviewers making sure their products aren't complete nonsense. So many better things to watch!
I see it as the film was mostly right about policing in a police brutality way, controling the lower class and minorities, but we do need to control violence/criminals.
We all should know by now Police brutality happens daily, we all should know far too many police lie and cover up for each other.
There has to be a balanced alternative.
We need to be responsible for our own behavior, EVERYONE. I don't think this film was biased as some has said.
I think we need to just keep trying to strive to do better.
Most importantly we need to get rid of the politicians who are committing crimes all the time.
We all should know by now Police brutality happens daily, we all should know far too many police lie and cover up for each other.
There has to be a balanced alternative.
We need to be responsible for our own behavior, EVERYONE. I don't think this film was biased as some has said.
I think we need to just keep trying to strive to do better.
Most importantly we need to get rid of the politicians who are committing crimes all the time.
Did you know
- GoofsThe documentary states that the first publicly funded Police force was created in Boston in 1838 when in fact it was created in London in 1829. It talks of Police history but it becomes immediately obvious that the program is about Policing in the USA but is on a global platform with little regard to The Rest Of The World.
- Quotes
Wesley Lowery: Frederick Douglass said, 'Power concedes nothing without a demand.' And the power that is American policing hasn't conceded anything. If anything, it's doubled and tripled down on that power.
- ConnectionsFeatures The Police Film (1972)
Details
- Runtime1 hour 29 minutes
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