As more Americans grapple with fundamental questions about race and the police, Fault Lines digs into our archives to share 12 episodes on the crisis in US policing.
From violence and impunity, to militarization and surveillance, a thread of documentaries about the police ⬇️
From violence and impunity, to militarization and surveillance, a thread of documentaries about the police ⬇️
In Ferguson, protests in 2014 and their disproportionate, heavy-handed police reaction showed that the killing of #MichaelBrown sparked something bigger—exposing tensions that had been bubbling beneath the surface for years.
Months after the Ferguson unrest, we returned to investigate why the relationship between police and local black communities is fraught with distrust.
For many, #MichaelBrown was a symbol for an entire system unfairly tilted against black communities.
For many, #MichaelBrown was a symbol for an entire system unfairly tilted against black communities.
In 2015, #FreddieGray died in police custody, sparking the #BaltimoreUprising.
The anger in Baltimore was rooted in a long history of police violence. We examined a string of alleged police brutality cases that preceded Gray's death in "Baltimore Rising."
The anger in Baltimore was rooted in a long history of police violence. We examined a string of alleged police brutality cases that preceded Gray's death in "Baltimore Rising."
Three years after the #BaltimoreUprising, we reported on an elite Baltimore plainclothes police unit that had for years doubled as a criminal gang—operating with impunity in part because of how police complaints were investigated.
"The Gang Within":
"The Gang Within":
"The Lives of Black Women" investigates the case of #RekiaBoyd—killed by a Chicago police officer in 2012—and asks why black women are so often left out of the conversation on police brutality.
"Even in death women play the second role." –Boyd's brother
"Even in death women play the second role." –Boyd's brother
US police use military-style tactics for even the most routine operations.
In 2014, Fault Lines reported on SWAT teams, whose use by police had skyrocketed in past decades, propped up by Homeland Security grants and access to free military equipment.
In 2014, Fault Lines reported on SWAT teams, whose use by police had skyrocketed in past decades, propped up by Homeland Security grants and access to free military equipment.
The use of police officers in schools has increased dramatically over the past few decades.
With that, the number of students receiving misdemeanor and felony charges has risen—and Black and Latino youth have borne the brunt. bit.ly/3cSqZai
With that, the number of students receiving misdemeanor and felony charges has risen—and Black and Latino youth have borne the brunt. bit.ly/3cSqZai
Tasers have been touted by the police as an alternative to deadly force, but more than a thousand people across the US have died after being shocked with a police taser.
In 2016, Fault Lines examined serious injuries and deaths linked to police taser use.
In 2016, Fault Lines examined serious injuries and deaths linked to police taser use.
In 2016, we examined Chicago's police union contract.
Police are given 24 hours to “cool off” before investigators interview them after a shooting. Critics say it allows officers to manipulate facts—with no better example than the #LaquanMcDonald case.
Police are given 24 hours to “cool off” before investigators interview them after a shooting. Critics say it allows officers to manipulate facts—with no better example than the #LaquanMcDonald case.
The US has a long history of surveilling black civil rights groups. In 2017, we reported on the threat of surveillance for the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
@FemiOke went to Oakland to see how far the government can go when its powers are unchecked.
@FemiOke went to Oakland to see how far the government can go when its powers are unchecked.
In 2016, Albuquerque had the country's highest rate of fatal shootings by police.
Despite a scathing Department of Justice report and promises of reform, locals told Fault Lines that the police department's corrupt and violent culture continued unabated.
Despite a scathing Department of Justice report and promises of reform, locals told Fault Lines that the police department's corrupt and violent culture continued unabated.
In 2012, we reported on protests against police brutality in Anaheim, California.
Anger among communities living in the shadows of the multi-billion dollar Disneyland industry spiraled out of control after two Latino men were shot and killed by police:
Anger among communities living in the shadows of the multi-billion dollar Disneyland industry spiraled out of control after two Latino men were shot and killed by police:
For the full catalog of Fault Lines episodes—including our reporting on prisons, jails, and other systems adjacent to policing—visit us on YouTube: bit.ly/2YhlhcI
