Frontline Season 9 Episode 7 When Cops Go Bad

When Cops Go Bad is the seventh episode of the ninth season of Frontline, a long-running documentary television series that investigates and reports on the most pressing issues of our time. In this episode, the focus is on police misconduct and abuse of power, a topic that has gained national attention in recent years.

The episode features a series of interviews with police officers, lawyers, and victims of police brutality, as well as footage of incidents of police misconduct caught on camera. The investigation also delves into the reasons behind police corruption and explores the ways in which the justice system can fail to hold police officers accountable for their actions.

One of the central themes of the episode is the so-called "blue wall of silence," the unwritten code of loyalty that often prevents police officers from reporting the misconduct of their colleagues. Through interviews with current and former police officers, the documentary sheds light on the culture of silence and the pressures that officers face to protect their fellow officers, even in the face of wrongdoing.

The episode also examines some of the key cases of police abuse of power that have made headlines in recent years, including the killing of Eric Garner in New York and the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Through interviews with family members of the victims and footage from protests and demonstrations, When Cops Go Bad reveals the human toll of police brutality and its impact on communities across the country.

The documentary also explores the systemic failures that can fuel police misconduct, such as inadequate training, lack of oversight, and racial bias. Several experts weigh in on the need for police reform and accountability, including former Attorney General Eric Holder and civil rights activist DeRay Mckesson.

Despite the serious nature of the subject matter, When Cops Go Bad is not without hope. The episode profiles several police departments that have successfully implemented reforms to improve accountability and transparency, including the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the New Orleans Police Department. These examples of progress suggest that change is possible, if difficult.

Overall, When Cops Go Bad is a powerful and thought-provoking episode of Frontline that sheds light on an issue that continues to haunt American society. Through its careful investigation and nuanced storytelling, the documentary invites viewers to consider the complex factors that contribute to police misconduct and the urgent need for meaningful change.