Who holds more power: The police or the policed?

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A deep dive into the systemic roots of policing in Power. Netflix’s new documentary arrives as a profound exploration of the American policing system, eight years after Ava DuVernay’s acclaimed 13th. Known for his Oscar-nominated work on Strong Island, director Yance Ford examines the historical and systemic underpinnings of modern policing, scrutinizing its impact on democratic principles.

The documentary opens with a stark black screen accompanied by Ford’s calm yet seething narration, setting the tone for an academic and philosophical inquiry into critical questions about policing in America. Ford delves into broad topics such as “property,” “social control,” and “resistance,” dissecting these themes through insightful commentary from university professors, long-serving police officers like Charlie Adams from Minneapolis, and individuals affected by discriminatory practices like New York City’s stop-and-frisk.

Tracing the origins of modern policing back to 18th-century slave patrols, 19th-century frontier militias, and 20th-century anti-union strike-breakers, Ford illustrates how these brutal enforcement methods have evolved but continue to reflect deep-seated systemic issues. He connects these historical practices to the aggressive policing of the 1960s urban riots and the resulting Kerner Commission report, which paradoxically called for increased federal funding for police despite highlighting systemic racism.

The documentary posits that America is over-policed, with police wielding a “monopoly on violence” and benefiting from laws that grant them near impunity. The film mixes talking-head interviews with archival footage, blending vintage films with disturbing scenes of violent riots and police misconduct.

It maintains a measured, analytical tone, staying away from provocative language to focus on justice, fairness, equality, and power. This approach might be seen as lacking passion, but it effectively underlines the need for calm, reasoned discourse in an emotionally charged debate. By avoiding polarizing terms, it filters out partisan noise, allowing for a clearer examination of the core issues at stake.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can watch this documentary on Netflix or catch the trailer (watchtrailer, runtime 2:30)