ERNIE & JOE: CRISIS COPS
A film by Jenifer McShane (Mothers of Bedford)
Executive Produced by Andrea Meditch (Buck)
Winner – Special Jury Prize – SXSW Film Festival
Winner – Grand Jury Prize Documentary – Independent Film Festival Boston
Winner – Grand Jury Prize –Santa Fe Independent Film Festival
Winner – Best Documentary Feature –Port Townsend Film Festival
Official Selection – AFI Docs
Official Selection – Nantucket Film Festival
Official Selection –Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
Official Selection –Traverse City Film Festival
Official Selection –DOC NYC
Broadcasts on HBO November 19th
In Theaters in NY/LA November 15th
Jenifer McShane’s (Mothers of Bedford) documentary ERNIE & JOE: CRISIS COPS follows San Antonio, Texas police officers Ernie Stevens and Joe Smarro, who are diverting people from jail and into mental health treatment. Part of the San Antonio Police Department’s ten-person mental health unit, Ernie Stevens and Joe Smarro are putting compassionate policing practices into action. Ernie & Joe chronicles their daily encounters with people in crisis, showing how their innovative approach to policing – which takes mental health into account – is having a dramatic effect on the way police respond to these challenges.
HBO DOCUMENTARY FILMS presents ERNIE & JOE: CRISIS COPS was directed and produced by Jenifer McShane; executive produced by Andrea Meditch; cinematographer, E.J. Enriquez; editor, Toby Shimin.
‘Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops’ Trailer: Award Winning HBO Docu Brings Mental Health Awareness To Law Enforcement
“Impressively intimate”
– VARIETY
“One of the Best Films of SXSW 2019”
– THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
“Should Change the Conversation on Modern Police Work”
– GLIDE MAGAZINE
“a quiet stunner”
– UNSEEN FILMS
“10 out of 10 STARS”
– FILM THREAT
