During brief periods of relaxation, the squad gossip, quarrel, drink, dance; relationships are put under strain, break and are remade or newly made.

Their boss is an ambitious and politically astute policeman, not wholly sympathetic to the demands of their consciences, and ready to tighten the leash if the suspect whom they are questioning has powerful friends.

At the heart of the story is a hard-edged, bitter yet tender policeman (Joeystarr), and a photographer (played by director Maïwenn), whose assignment is to follow the squad in their work.

[7] Maïwenn only wanted to cast actors who would be credible in the roles of policemen: "In my opinion all of them had to have a common feature – they had to look like working class people and speak in vernacular Parisian French."

The website's critical consensus states: "Polisse is a gripping and powerful procedural drama filled with fine acting and unflinching eye for truth and brutality".

"[12] In Screen Daily's review from the festival, Jonathan Romney called Maïwenn "undeniably a very strong director of actors, especially when it comes to the delicate scenes involving the various children.

He added this was "not merely because of the abused children and young delinquents whose cases Maïwenn mentions in her film without showing pictures of them" (Nicht nur der kindlichen Missbrauchsopfer und jugendlichen Missetäter wegen, deren Fälle Maïwenn in ihrem Film zur Sprache bringt, ohne sie im Bild selbst vorzuführen.)

(auch aufgrund jener Polizisten, die zwar der Strafverfolgung dienen, vor allem aber Sozialarbeit leisten – und dabei durchweg überfordert sind.)