Policing the Police (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

The Newark Police Department is scrutinized for its unconstitutional stops and searches, leading to community tension. The narrative includes citizens' complaints about police abuse and the Department of Justice's demand for reform. Writer and historian Jelani Cobb joins the Newark Police to explore the challenges of balancing community safety with respect for civil rights.

Accompanying the Newark Police Gang Unit, the script delves into the officers' nightly operations, focusing on seizing weapons and drugs. It highlights the predominantly black and Latino composition of the unit, the community, and the suspects. The narrative questions the officers' decision-making process in conducting 'field inquiries,' touching on the issue of reasonable suspicion versus racial profiling.

This paragraph captures the raw experience of the Gang Unit's encounters with the public, including tense situations where weapons are recovered. It portrays the officers' pride in removing guns from the streets and the constant tension due to the lack of trust between the police and the community. The dialogues reflect the officers' conviction that they are making a difference despite the Department of Justice's criticism.

The script revisits the historical context of police-community relations in Newark, starting with the 1967 riots and the subsequent federal government's power to intervene in local police affairs. It discusses the Justice Department's findings of excessive force and the city's efforts to retrain the police force, indicating a long-standing struggle with police misconduct.

Mayor Ras Baraka discusses the challenges of reforming the Newark Police Department with his appointee, Eugene Venable. The conversation reveals the mayor's personal history with the police and his commitment to change the department's approach. It also touches on the community's responsibility and the importance of intelligence-led policing rather than random stops.

The narrative shifts to the mayor's examination of the Communications Center, highlighting systemic issues with 911 call handling and the inefficiency of police response. It underscores the need for better communication systems and the mayor's frustration with the current state of operations, including high overtime costs and lack of effective intelligence.

This paragraph follows the mayor and police officers into the field, illustrating the complexities of police work and the community's mixed reactions to their presence. It shows the potential for positive engagement but also captures instances where interactions escalate due to lack of trust and negative perceptions of the police.

The script presents a case where an individual is stopped and handcuffed by the police, leading to a discussion on the challenges of building trust and the impact of police presence on community members. It reflects on the need for the police to be part of the community and the difficulty of changing ingrained perceptions and practices.

The narrative explores the human side of police work, including the fear and stress experienced by officers. It contrasts the public's perception of police with the reality of the job, highlighting the challenges of maintaining safety and public trust amidst criticism and scrutiny.

The script captures a range of community perspectives on the Newark Police Department, from residents' personal experiences with police misconduct to their views on the necessity of reform. It emphasizes the community's desire for a police force that respects constitutional rights while maintaining public safety.

The final paragraph encapsulates the challenges and complexities of reforming the Newark Police Department. It discusses the city's efforts to implement new policies, training, and oversight, as well as the emotional impact of these changes on the community and the police force. The narrative concludes with a hopeful outlook on the potential for a new era of policing in Newark.