THE GLASS SHIELD

In THE GLASS SHIELD, John “J.J.” Johnson is fresh from law enforcement training and is assigned to the Edgemar County Sheriff’s Office. Eager to fight “the bad guys,” J.J. doesn’t mind being a black, court-ordered deputy. However, the sheriff tends to pick on him and the only female officer, Deputy Fields, for minor infractions. Within days of a murder, a fellow deputy stops a black man, Teddy Woods, to question him. Though there is no probable cause to detain Woods and the deputy later admits that he questioned Woods because he was black, the presence of a gun under the seat makes the arrest of Woods appear legitimate. Feeling an obligation to back up a fellow deputy, J.J. testifies against Woods. Soon thereafter, J.J. makes a startling discovery that convinces him that Woods is innocent and something is wrong within his department. J.J. and Fields then begin their own investigation into the murder. They soon uncover corruption perpetrated by their fellow officers.

There are several sub-plots that make the plot sometimes difficult to follow, but overall, the film is suspenseful and enjoyable to watch. This film makes some subtle and not so subtle observations about racism and sexism that make it clear that discrimination and harassment are not always overt, but are never acceptable. THE GLASS SHIELD is a well-executed movie that touches on many moral issues.