Police Procedural backdrop

Police Procedural movies

Step-by-step police work: evidence handling, interrogations, paperwork, and institutional constraints.

A.C.A.B. - All Cops Are Bastards

1. A.C.A.B. - All Cops Are Bastards

Action Drama Crime Police Procedural Political Drama
6.6
20121h 45min

Overview

A look at the controversial riot cops unit, told through the stories of three veteran cops and a young recruit.

Themes

Economic precarity and duty, Police loyalty under strain, Violence vs restraint, Family strain and housing insecurity, Immigrant and crowd tensions, Fascist influence and conflict, Legal boundaries under pressure

Available on

Netflix
Rakuten TV
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Harry Brown

2. Harry Brown

Thriller Crime Drama Action Revenge Thriller
7.2
20091h 43min

Overview

An elderly ex-serviceman and widower looks to avenge his best friend's murder by doling out his own form of justice.

Themes

Vigilante justice, Aging veteran trauma, Estate violence, Police riot response, Drug dealing economy, Self-defense justification

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Overview

Two friends hired to police a small town that is suffering under the rule of a rancher find their job complicated by the arrival of a young widow.

Themes

Rancher power and fear, Loyalty and trust under duress, Frontier justice and order, Vigilantism vs formal authority, Gender dynamics and survival, Community resilience under threat

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Street Kings

4. Street Kings

Action Crime Drama Thriller Police Procedural
6.8
20081h 49min

Overview

Tom Ludlow is a disillusioned L.A. Police Officer, rarely playing by the rules and haunted by the death of his wife. When evidence implicates him in the execution of a fellow officer, he is forced to go up against the cop culture he's been a part of his entire career, ultimately leading him to question the loyalties of everyone around him.

Themes

Police corruption, Cop culture pressure, Loyalties under strain, Evidence manipulation, Ill-gotten money, Power and deception

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Vantage Point

5. Vantage Point

Drama Action Thriller Crime Political Thriller
6.6
20081h 30min

Overview

During an historic counter-terrorism summit in Spain, the President of the United States is struck down by an assassin's bullet. Eight strangers have a perfect view of the kill, but what did they really see? As the minutes leading up to the fatal shot are replayed through the eyes of each eyewitness, the reality of the assassination takes shape.

Themes

Multiple perspectives, Media influence, Betrayal within security, Crowd anxiety under threat, Eyewitness fragmentation, Leadership under duress, Counterterrorism stakes

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

On Probation

6. On Probation

Mystery Crime Action Drama Thriller
7.5
20051h 52min

Overview

Mariano is a psychologist who must fulfill community service after losing a lawsuit by a traffic accident. He is forced to provide therapeutic support to Alfredo, a policeman depressed over his wife cheating on him. Mariano is then accidentally involved in a double homicide investigation being conducted by Alfredo.

Themes

Deception and disguise, Infidelity fallout, Ethical strain in therapy and policing, Dual loyalties, Role reversal under pressure, Conspiracy and investigation


Stone Cold

7. Stone Cold

Drama Crime Thriller TV Movie Police Procedural
7.1
20051h 27min

Overview

Jesse Stone is a former L.A. homicide detective who left behind the big city and an ex-wife to become the police chief of the quiet New England fishing town of Paradise. Stone's old habits die hard as he continues to indulge his two favorite things: Scotch whiskey and women. After a series of murders—the first ever in Paradise—and a high school girl is raped, he's forced to face his own demons in order to solve the crimes.

Themes

Shoreline investigation stress, Gun owners dynamics, High school girl case, Parking lot violence, Tape recording leverage, Footage voyeurism

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Assault on Precinct 13

8. Assault on Precinct 13

Thriller Action Adventure Crime Mind Game Thriller
6.3
20051h 49min

Overview

On New Year's Eve, inside a police station that's about to be closed for good, officer Jake Roenick must cobble together a force made up cops and criminals to save themselves from a mob looking to kill mobster Marion Bishop.

Themes

Police corruption, Prison transport tension, Drug abuse pressure, Snowstorm isolation, Undercover cop betrayal, Mexican standoff dynamics

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Cellular

9. Cellular

Action Thriller Drama Crime Epic Action
6.5
20041h 34min

Overview

A young man receives an emergency phone call on his cell phone from an older woman. She claims to have been kidnapped – and the kidnappers have targeted her husband and child next.

Themes

Trust in authorities under pressure, Family under threat, Deception through false identity, Coercion and leverage, Mistrust of security, Police corruption exposure, Video as leverage

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

S.W.A.T.

10. S.W.A.T.

Action Thriller Crime Buddy Action Police Procedural
6.1
20031h 57min

Overview

Hondo Harrelson recruits Jim Street to join an elite unit of the Los Angeles Police Department. Together they seek out more members, including tough Deke Kay and single mom Chris Sanchez. The team's first big assignment is to escort crime boss Alex Montel to prison. It seems routine, but when Montel offers a huge reward to anyone who can break him free, criminals of various stripes step up for the prize.

Themes

Deception and disguise, Loyalty under pressure, Betrayal within ranks, Elite unit training dynamics, Team formation under stress, Crime monetization incentives

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.