Arresting Power

A timely documentary, given the widespread criticism of police-related killings of black males, co-filmmakers Jodi Darby, Julie Perini, and Erin Yanke's Arresting Power presents a dismal rap sheet of bad behavior by officers in Portland, OR. The film's political stance is summed up by interviewee/author Kristian Williams, who doesn't want police reform but rather the outright abolition of police. Declaring that Oregon was founded as a white supremacist haven with anti-black laws remaining on the books almost up to contemporary times, the filmmakers examine past cases of police brutality and bullying, including an instance in which a despondent, bereaved black man was shot while a counselor was en route to help him, and another involving a black Marine who had just foiled a robbery only to be fatally choked by cops who assumed that he was the criminal. And then there was the “possum incident,” in which white cops dumped dead animals at a black-owned business for fun and seemed amazed that anyone took offense. According to activists and civil-rights figures, a powerful union protects these bad guys in blue (although no police spokesmen appear on camera). Subtitled “Resisting Police Violence in Portland, Oregon,” extras include a film premiere Q&A, bonus interviews, and a study guide. A low-budget (especially evident in some poor audio) documentary specifically aimed at Portland viewers, this should still be considered a strong optional purchase elsewhere due to the subject matter. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)