WFG RATING: A-

Global Digital Releasing presents a Code 3 Films production. Directed by Jim Klock. Produced by Vernon Green, Sheriff D.P. Decatur, and Jim Klock

Stars Captain Lee Peters, Lt. Deuntay Diggs, Sgt. Carol Burgess, Det. Aaron Dupree, Bishop Leonard Lacey, Sr. Deputy Ronald Richman, and Deputy John Harrod. 

Police violence and resistance has hit headlines in major cities. However, what about the smaller towns? The answer may lie in this documentary from director Jim Klock.

In the small area of Stafford County, Virginia, they have heard news of police brutality cases like George Floyd, school shootings such as Sandy Hook, and others that resorted to violence against police. When the Black Lives Matter movement hit, it caused a nationwide storm against police. Ironically, there are African-American police officers who stand in the front lines and because of the fact they are police, it doesn’t apply to them.

There are select personnel who share their experiences being both African-American and police officers. A female officer described an experience where she was mistaken for a perpetrator because she was African-American, in plain clothes, and in a marked vehicle. Another African-American officer, who is openly gay and accepted into the ranks, describes his experiences having been called names when he was out with his husband in town. One police officer decided to join the force because he wanted to make a difference. 

The officers also compare their experiences with certain topics such as school shootings, police brutality, and other issues, seen nationwide compared to what they have experienced in Stafford County. It is quite interesting to see a small town react to the nationwide issues and compare them as of major importance where in their small area, they don’t experience as much but one standout point is how 3 people were shot in the past few years in Stafford County but it wasn’t of nationwide importance on the fact the victims were Caucasian according to the officers interviewed for this documentary.

The Thin Black Line is quite a fascinating look at African-American police officers in small town America, the hindrances they endure, as well as both comparing their issues with those hitting the nation and both their accomplishments and consequences of their involvement in the force. 

The film is on Digital today, January 12.