In making The Force, acclaimed documentary filmmaker Peter Nicks followed the Oakland Police Department (OPD) around for two years—two chaotic, scandal-plagued years. The result is a solid documentary with behind-the-scenes footage that regular people don’t often get to see.
Nicks takes the role of a dispassionate observer, capturing high-level officials dealing with police shootings and misconduct (and subsequent public outrage), the OPD’s interactions with reporters, training sessions for incoming cops (including one guy you just KNOW will be problem sooner or later), community meetings, and the day-to-day policing of a beat cop. It’s humanizing and insightful, with no obvious bias or sensationalism.