
Do Not Resist

Do Not Resist
Where to Watch Do Not Resist

Do Not Resist is a provocative and critically-acclaimed 2016 documentary directed by Craig Atkinson. This 72-minute film serves as an eye-opening exploration of the rapid militarization and aggressive approach of police forces throughout the United States. Engulfing the audience in a timely topic, the documentary ardently draws on the pivotal imperative and controversial concerns circling the modern American law enforcement procedures, techniques, and equipment renewal. Richard Berk, James Comey, and Dave Grossman provide their expert perspectives throughout this intriguing film.
Kicking off from the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, post-Michael Brown shooting, the documentary endeavours to echo the increased strain and tensions between communities and their local law enforcement. This incident, among many others, sparked extensive debates and protests, making it an apt starting point for the film’s narrative exploration.
As we dive further into the film, we encounter Richard Berk, Professor of Criminology and Statistics at the University of Pennsylvania, providing an expert perspective on predictive policing. Herein lays one of the film's core arguments - the implementation of quantitative methods, statistical analysis and, digitized data - has further instigated an invasive form of policing. Berk’s narrative gives us an insight into how algorithms and data mining are being used to foretell future crimes, leading to an invasion of privacy and potential misuses of power.
We see another facet of modern law enforcement through James Comey, the former FBI Director, who gives us an inside perspective on the workings of the bureau. Comey’s inputs not only shed light on the changes in strategies and tactics from our central federal enforcement agency but also mirror the climacteric challenges in ensuring nationwide security, tackling terror threats and, maintaining civil rights simultaneously.
Do Not Resist would be incomplete without the inclusion of Dave Grossman, an internationally recognized scholar, author, and expert in the fields of human aggression and the roots of violence. Grossman drives home the psychological aspect of the subject, discussing the mindsets of both the police force and the civilians they aim to protect. His unique lens offers profound insights into how the escalating violence is perceived and how it stirs the modern machismo seen in the police force.
The documentary is a stark wake-up call, revealing how military equipment initially designed for use in foreign warzones is ending up in local police departments. The film takes the viewers on a stark journey, from small-town police departments to high-level Senate meetings, showcasing America's changing police landscape over the past several years.
Alongside its individual testimonies, Do Not Resist also includes original footage from ride-alongs with police forces, SWAT team raids, and interviews with high-ranking officials. It puts a spotlight on the consequences, both unintended and direct, of the police's war-like mentality on America's streets.
Atkinson manages to weave the implications of a surging police state, tracing the hefty costs and the dent in civil liberties with utmost subtlety. Whether it’s armoured vehicles patrolling neighbourhood districts, the execution of search warrants with SWAT teams or, predictive algorithms playing ‘Minority Report,’ Do Not Resist throws light on an eerie reflection of dystopian realities.
The film encapsulates all these elements without enforcing a fixed stance, leaving room for open discussion and informed dialogue. It invites viewers to question the shifting dynamics between the police and the communities they serve, urging the audience to ponder upon the concept of power, control and fear as they contemplate the chilling future of American law enforcement.
All in all, Do Not Resist is not just a movie that creates awareness about the rising police militarization but also a commentary on society’s potential desensitization towards it, making it an imperative watch for those keen on understanding the nuances of present-day law enforcement and public safety in the United States. The meticulous juxtaposition of expert opinions against the backdrop of real-life incidents brings the audience face-to-face with the stark realities and toll of progressively combative policing.
