Peace Officer
Scott Christopherson and Brad Barber's Peace Office is a timely documentary investigating the militarisation of law enforcement in America’s police force
Peace Office follows Dub Lawrence, a former sheriff and county commissioner in Utah who, prompted by the killing of his son-in-law in 2008 by a SWAT unit, now assists in investigations into complaints of excessive force by law enforcement officers in the state.
The film is generally successful in tackling a very complex and multi-faceted topic, touching on aspects such as the effects of the long-running and unsuccessful War on Drugs, which has meant for decades police departments must divert a large amount of time and resources into what are often non-violent crimes.
Although limited by its focus on one state, Peace Officer is a first-rate look at an increasingly relevant issue, managing to provide a broader context for its investigations without consigning the personal narrative to the background.
Peace Officer screened at Glasgow Film Festival.
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