Power

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 avenues left to explore when it comes to policing in America, but this documentary fails to find any of them.

Instead of, as they say in the intro, encouraging the viewer to question policing, the documentary tries to tell you exactly what you should believe about policing, what policing is, and it's all the same points you hear parroted online (police are slave patrol descendants, policing is unfair so you shouldn't obey, etc.). It's a film that stokes racial adversity rather than offering the fair analysis of policing that it claims in the intro.

If you've ever gone down a twitter thread about race and policing, then you've already seen everything this film has to offer.

"Power," the 86-minute long documentary about the history of policing in America that was written, directed and produced by Yance Ford and is currently streaming on Netflix is a thought-provoking examination of our failed systems of justice and our longstanding prejudices that merits attention. The documentary shows how policing, which began with the corraling and erasure of the indigenous on the frontier, and proceeded, even with the first police force in NYC in 1844 that arose directly as a result of the problems of immigration, to evolve as a force that curtails the powers of the oppressed and minorities in service of the white elite.

The documentary is not a "hate-the-police" show or plug, as it also features the words and efforts of caring, experienced police officers, rather, a call to think and care about the systematic oppression by authorities of the weak and underserved that has prevailed through centuries here in the name of "law and order."

Of course we need police, but the standards by which police operate, the documentary makes clear, are largely determined by police themselves, and as long as the shadow force of policing continues to exert its power unchecked in this country, we are in danger of losing our freedom and democracy.

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 ...

Watched this at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

Interesting, yet it feels repetitive with the main subject it wants to explore. The topics about police corruption and abuse of power has been explored within the media for years and the documentary explores the subject with some pretty interesting insights and conversations to explain the issues and the topics. Lance Ford who created "Strong Island" was impactful and while his direction here is good, his sense of exploration and emotion feels lacking and not as strong as his previous movie.

With the movie using many archival footage, interviews and presentations, the style ends up feeling dry as it ends up feeling like the typical and basic Netflix documentary with some really odd editing choices and repetitive tone. The subject is a very serious matter which I do agree with some of the main points but I wish the documentary didn't feel as repetitive as it is.

Overall, it is a interesting story but it runs dry at the end of the day.