New doc shows militarization of US police from the inside

New doc shows militarization of US police from the inside


LOS ANGELES (AP) — The documentary "Do Not Resist" provides a timely look at the state of policing in the United States, from the escalation of SWAT raids to the unregulated technology police departments are using.

Director Craig Atkinson for over two years traveled around the country shadowing various police departments in their everyday activities. The film is now playing in limited release, with weeklong runs launching in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles on Friday, and expanding throughout Oct. and Nov .

Atkinson, the cinematographer on the documentary "Detropia," was first intrigued to pursue the issue of police militarization after seeing the police response to the Boston Marathon bombing and the military grade equipment they used. He was struck by how police acted more like an "occupying force," he said.

"I was seeing reports coming out later where people were handcuffed face down on their front lawn detained, no charges filed, no questions, police officers entering homes without search warrants," Atkinson said.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/fbf3e12a4d5548a8802830d50e425b70/new-doc-shows-militarization-us-police-inside