16 Insightful Documentaries About The Police

The police have long been regarded as the protectors of society. However, throughout the years, we’ve learned that this isn’t always the case. There have been many cases of police brutality, corruption, and coverups that have been exposed by intrepid journalists and documentarians.

If you’re interested in learning more about the flaws of the police force, then check out this list of the best documentaries about the police.

1. I Got a Monster (2023)

This documentary by director Kevin Abrams explores how the Gun Trace Task Force (GTTF) that was meant to help the Baltimore Police Department fight violent crime instead terrorised innocent civilians.

Kevin Abrams follows the criminal investigation in 2017 that resulted in the successful prosecution of the officers involved and convictions of extortion, fraud, racketeering, and robbery.

The documentary breaks down what happened and how Ivan Bates, a defence attorney, helped bring the corrupt police officers to justice. Throughout the film victims of the GTTF get a chance to speak about the abuse of power and the GTTF leader Wayne Jenkins, a charismatic yet inherently corrupt cop.

I Got a Monster on Factual America

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2. MLK / FBI

MLK / FBI is a documentary that takes a different perspective on the police's role in society. Based on the newly declassified documents that reveal the FBI's surveillance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The documentary explores the FBI's intent to smear and ruin Dr. King's reputation, highlighting the failure of the police department to treat Dr. King with the dignity he deserved.

MLK / FBI on Factual America

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3. Hold Your Fire

The Ferguson shooting of Michael Brown in 2014 is still fresh in many people's memories. In this documentary series, Hold Your Fire, we see the final moments of a 23-day sit-in protest staged by five Howard University students at the Ferguson police department.

It highlights the tension between the police and the community after the shooting, and the racism and eroding trust that lie beneath the surface of their interactions.

Hold Your Fire on Factual America

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4. Fallen (2017)

Fallen chronicles the lives of ten police officers who died on the job. It is an honest, poignant look at the risks that police officers face every day, giving us a glimpse into the lives of everyday heroes who put their lives on the line to serve and protect their communities.

This documentary features stories of fallen police officers from East Coast to West Coast, exploring their bravery and heroics.

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5. Crime & Punishment (2018)

Directed by Stephen Maing, this documentary highlights the injustice done to young black men in New York City by the justice system's thin blue line.

Crime & Punishment follows a group of African-American and Latino police officers, who put their jobs on the line to expose and fight against the excessive enforcement of low-level offenses, that target marginalized communities disproportionately.

Crime & Punishment on IMDb

6. Flint (2020)

This eye-opening documentary follows the shocking events of the Flint water crisis of 2014. It unveils the inadequacy and failure of law enforcement agencies in securing clean water for a whole community, leading to several deaths.

This documentary highlights the moral obligations of cops and their role in such a severe social crisis.

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7. Project Duterte

This documentary showcases the notorious extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, where the police have adopted ruthless means to eradicate the drug business.

The film is revealing, presenting not only the misplaced intentions of the police but also the complexity of the drug wars in an economically deprived democracy.

Project Duterte on IMDb

8. Bleeding Blue (2018)

Bleeding Blue presents an intriguing insight into the lives of police officers. It is an applaudable documentary that explores the struggles of police officers and their personal experiences and emotions. It will give you a different perspective on what it takes to uphold social order.

The documentary explores the officers efforts to bridge the gap between the police and the various communities they serve. Insightful interviews with law enforcement officers and their families are included.

Bleeding Blue on IMDb

9. Through the Blue Lens (2018)

This documentary offers an unusual perspective on the lives of policemen and drug addiction.

It delves into the antipodal relationship between drug users and police officers, to offer a compassionate but honest glimpse into the lives of drug addicts struggling to survive.

Through the Blue Lens on IMDb

10. Detroit Under S.T.R.E.S.S. (2018)

A documentary that looks into the confrontation between the Detroit police and Black Nationalists during the '70s. It unravels the confrontation that birthed the mistrust and tensions between black citizens and policing officers across America.

It highlights the significance of public accountability in the performance of law enforcement.

Detroit Under S.T.R.E.S.S. on IMDb

11. Yellow Vest Fever

This documentary provides an up-close and personal look at the contentious street protests and police response throughout the Yellow Vests movement in France.

Directed by Leo Ponge, this documentary shows the clash between the French police and the public, causing questions of police brutality and the right to protest.

Yellow Vest Fever on RT Documentary Channel

12. Betraying the Badge - Operation Broken Oath (2021)

This documentary tells the story of a police officer's undercover operation that ended in disillusionment and the exposure of police corruption in Detroit, Michigan.

The documentary explores how the police are expected to keep law and order while possessing enormous power, and how this can lead to corruption if not properly monitored.

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13. The Force (2017)

This documentary gives an insight into the Oakland Police Department and the challenges its officers face in trying to reform themselves after years of misconduct.

From racism and shooting incidents to lawsuits and lack of community trust, this documentary looks at the inner workings of a police force trying to transform itself from within.

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14. Strong Island (2017)

This documentary tells the story of a black man who was shot and killed by a white man, who never faced any charges.

The documentary explores the issues of systemic racism and how it impacts the criminal justice system, laying bare the question of whether justice can ever be achieved when victims are seen as disposable.

Strong Island on IMDb

15. 16 Shots (2019)

This documentary covers the killing of Laquan McDonald, a black teenager who was shot 16 times by a police officer in Chicago.

The film delves into the cover-up that occurred, the public outrage, and the subsequent trial of the police officer, addressing important questions about police accountability and use of force.

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16. Frontline: Policing the Police (2016)

This documentary takes a deep dive into Newark's police department after it was put under a federal monitor following civil rights complaints and reports of excessive force.

It examines the changes that were implemented and the hurdles that arise when law enforcement attempts reform.

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Conclusion

These documentaries offer an insightful glimpse into the world of law enforcement and the complicated relationship between the police and the public. While some of these documentaries can be hard and uncomfortable to watch, they provide an important platform to raise awareness of the issues that persist in policing.

So, while binge-watching crime dramas is always intriguing, take some time to watch these documentaries that tell stories in documentary form, with real-life characters, and experiences. By watching these documentaries, you can gain knowledge and be a part of the change that we need to strive for in policing.