A group of police cadets are mercilessly hazed as they suffer through the worst day of their training. Andrew T. Betzer directs “Important Police Shit,” a series of provocative vignettes tracking the physical and emotional abuse that cops-in-training endure, a captivating but painful glimpse inside the lines of a contentious occupation. During the exercises, cadets are harassed, tazed, pepper sprayed, tear gassed, pushed to the limit in whatever way possible (talking Hilary Clinton dolls included). We are paying special attention to the only woman cadet there, courageously played by Eleanore Pienta, who fights through the hell day just the same as the others, at least until a troubling incident shines new light on the whole endeavor. Though Betzer’s film largely resists editorializing in favor of simply showing the action, the sarcastic title offers some perspective and the longer we’re exposed, the more we’re forced to question the brutal mentalities at play.

Director, producer, editor: Andrew T. Betzer. Producer: Lynda Meier. DP, Producer: Daniel Cowen. Starring Eleanore Pienta. Armando Horsey, Scott Swope, Derrick Ward. Production Supervisor, AD: Doug Jones. Props, Graphics: Will Tutino. Sound Mixing/Design: Barbaros A. Kaynak.