Demonstrations. Quran burnings. Climate actions. At the eye of the storm stands a group of Swedish police officers tasked with safeguarding everyone’s right to freedom of speech. A polarized society is their daily reality. A motley crew of strong-willed individuals united by humor and a shared calling: defending democracy with dialogue as their weapon.
About the film
The EU summit in Gothenburg in 2001 was marred by violent clashes between police and demonstrators. Sweden was in shock, and there was a unanimous consensus: never again. A government inquiry concluded that the Swedish police needed a deeper understanding of politically active groups—many young people were abandoning traditional political parties in favor of movements for identity, justice, and climate issues. It became evident that police methods could escalate a situation rather than defuse it.
The Dialogue Police was created, and the team in Stockholm is the only unit in the country that works in this role full-time.
The Dialogue Police is a film about a small, dedicated group of police officers who devote their lives to defending people’s right to gather in public spaces and demand change. The team
constantly navigates the boundary between personal and professional: when they put on their work vests, they must set aside their own opinions. At the same time, it is often their personal experiences and ability to build trust that can make all the difference in de-escalating tense situations.
We accompany the Dialogue Police from their secure offices to demonstrations and protests, where anything can happen. They know that the riots in Gothenburg must not be repeated—if they fail, the very existence of their unit could be called into question. With humor and gravity, and from a unique perspective, the film explores the possibilities of dialogue, delving into one of the great existential questions of our time: can we uphold democracy and accommodate differences and conflicts without resorting to violence?
Why host a screening?
Screenings of The Dialogue Police open up opportunities for discussion about freedom of expression, the right to demonstrate and the role of the police in an increasingly polarized society. How can we protect the right to express ourselves and demonstrate, while maintaining safety and trust in public space? Can we strengthen democracy if activism is met with dialogue instead of force?
How to book a screening?
If you would like to book The Dialogue Police for a screening, please fill out the contact form below. Please include the title of the film, the preferred date and place of your screening, who the screening is for (workplace / organisation / school), and the estimated audience size.
