"Cops Are Not Role Models. They're Human:" Omar Epps and Shanley Caswell Talk 'Power Book III: Raising Kanan'
essence.comPower Book III: Raising Kanan left fans shocked, delighted, and craving more of the backstory on one of the Power Universe‘s most notorious villains.
As with most crime dramas, police officers are typically seen as a threat or opposing force to our story’s heroes. As Howard and Burke respectively, Omar Epps and Shanley Caswell are exploring the nuances of what drives characters like these to target crime in certain communities, and the full breadth of their humanity. “At the end of the day, cops are not role models.
They’re human beings, they’ve got families like everyone else,” Epps told ESSENCE exclusively about his complicated character. “It’s just the job.
For me, I look at it the same as being a nurse, doctor, or fireman. People who take on a job that the nature of it is danger.” “Yes, we have problems with the police, but underneath it all, from a psyche point of view, cops are only dealing with humans when they’re in need, when there’s danger,” he continued. “They do the best of their abilities, and they’re human, so when you say ‘humanized,’ I take that as a compliment.” For Epps’ character, that human experience found him running the gamut of emotions while still trying to run the streets of Queens from both inside an outside his precinct. “For Howard, his entire identity is based around control, whether in the department or on the street.
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