The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

New series set in Western Sydney examines the role of policing in diverse communities – with mixed results

  • Written by Stephen Gaunson, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, RMIT University

The new Stan Original Australian crime series, Critical Incident, joins a long and impressive list of local crime dramas from streaming platforms, including Scrublands[1] (2023) and Binge’s recent release High Country[2].

This time, the camera zooms in on various multicultural locations across Western Sydney – providing a compelling aesthetic as the backdrop. That said, the story itself misses some key opportunities to engage in more in-depth discussions about the role (and justification) of policing in diverse communities.

A high-stakes pursuit

Set in Western Sydney and starring Akshay Khanna and Zoë Boe, along with Simone Kessell and Erik Thomson, Critical Incident unpacks the psychological turmoil that occurs when things go horribly wrong for Senior Constable Zilficar “Zil” Ahmed (played by Khanna) while on the job.

Following a long and exhausting night on the beat – and out of uniform – Zil pursues Dalia (Zoë Boe), who matches a description given over his police walkie-talkie: a teenage girl of Asian appearance, wearing a red top, who minutes earlier threatened police officers with a flick knife. She is considered dangerous.

Zil hollers for Dalia to stop, but she runs. He gives chase. They soon find themselves running down a busy peak-hour train platform at Blacktown Railway Station. In close pursuit, Zil accidentally knocks a commuter who, caught off balance, falls onto the tracks and is struck by the oncoming train.

Dalia is cornered by two uniformed police officers at the other end of the station. She is arrested, but is determined not to be the suspect.

Dalia (Zoë Boe) is captured by police after a frantic chase by Zil (Akshay Khanna). Stan/Matchbox Pictures

A simplistic police narrative

Dalia’s reason for running from Zil sets up a series of complex questions about racial profiling and policing within the highly multicultural City of Blacktown, Sydney.

The scenario also asks fascinating questions of gender and age dynamics. If a plain clothed man yells “stop, police” to a teenage girl, is it reasonable for her to be suspicious and run? Another question raised here concerns the weight of the police uniform, wherein an officer disrobed of his loses all sense of societal authority.

The first two episodes – with their broad societal questions about police relations within communities such as Blacktown – are both gripping and excellently paced. However, the show pivots to something less interesting as it subsequently starts to focus on Zil’s determination to prove Dalia isn’t all she seems to be.

As Dalia moves deeper into the criminal underbelly of drug pushing, Zil is eventually vindicated for his hunch to pursue her at all costs.

The narrative seems to reinforce the idea that police officers only pursue “bad” people. But what are the consequences when they pursue the wrong person? This seems a far more interesting question than what is explored in later episodes.

Aussie child star Jai Waetford plays Hayden Broadis, alongside Zoë Boe as Dalia Tun. Stan/Matchbox Pictures

Authentic aesthetics

The producers of Critical Incident have made a point of saying[3] “this is not a cop show. This is not an organised crime show. This is drama. A drama about when things go wrong on the job and it just so happens your job is being a police officer”.

Nevertheless, considering where the show goes with its plotting of police procedure and crooked cops, it plays out very much like a cop drama – and will certainly appeal to fans of such cat-and-mouse scenarios.

Those wanting more of a psychological drama set within policing, such as BBC’s The Responder[4] (2022), may be left feeling unsatisfied with where Critical Incident ultimately goes.

Zindzi Okenyo and Simone Kessell play Inspector Ivy Tsuma and Detective Edith Barcelos. Stan/Matchbox Pictures

Another criticism of the show is that it struggles to elicit any meaningful sense of empathy with the central characters. It is hard to feel very deeply for these characters when they are hurt, endangered or even killed.

Part of the issue is the speed for which the show is plotted. Things move at a breakneck pace, without the necessary screen time needed to build rapport between the audience and the characters.

The teenager Zil accidentally pushes onto the train tracks is barely mentioned or drawn into the story in any satisfactory way. This seems like an odd oversight considering this character becomes collateral damage in Zil and Dalia’s reckless chase, which begs the question of when police pursuits are justified – and when they merely put civilians at risk.

Zil Ahmed (Khanna) finds himself under investigation for misconduct by detective sergeant Edith Barcelos (Simone Kessell). Stan/Matchbox Pictures

Visually, Critical Incident has an authentic aesthetic, with filming taking place on location in Western Sydney’s suburbs of Blacktown, Granville, Parramatta and Greenacre. As such, it draws obvious comparison to the critically acclaimed SBS police series, East West 101[5] (2007–11), also set in Sydney’s industrial and multicultural areas.

If Critical Incident continues past its first season, it would be interesting to see it expand beyond the familiar interior police drama narrative and dig deeper into the multicultural aspects of its locations and characters, in a similar way to East West 101.

Critical Incident is streaming on Stan from today.

References

  1. ^ Scrublands (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ High Country (en.wikipedia.org)
  3. ^ point of saying (www.screenhub.com.au)
  4. ^ The Responder (en.wikipedia.org)
  5. ^ East West 101 (en.wikipedia.org)

Read more https://theconversation.com/critical-incident-new-series-set-in-western-sydney-examines-the-role-of-policing-in-diverse-communities-with-mixed-results-234686

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...

What Makes a Small Group Tour of Italy So Memorable?

Traveling to Italy is on almost every bucket list. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the sparkling canals of Venice, the country is filled with sights, flavors, and experiences ...