Walking With the Devil: The Police Code of Silence - Softcover

Michael W. Quinn

Softcover

ISBN 10: 097591250X ISBN 13: 9780975912508

Publisher: Quinn and Associates, 2004

Synopsis

As Peace Officers we willingly lay our lives on the line for each other and the public we serve. Yet, we walk away or turn our heads when we see another officer doing something that could end their career, their marriage, or their freedom. Because we don't rat on another peace officer. AS OFFICERS we have taken an oath to protect and serve the public and each other. Yet, the number of officers that commit suicide is much greater than the number of officers killed by felons. Some of those suicides are the result of being under investigation for crimes or unethical behavior. Behavior that other cops were aware of and never reported, and did nothing to stop, because we don't rat on other cops. AS DEPUTIES, we have sworn to protect those in our custody. Yet some of us will go to prison every year because of acts that could have, and should have, been stopped by other deputies because we don't rat on other deputies. AS TROOPERS, we have sworn to protect and serve by keeping our highways safe. Yet some of us will die in traffic accidents because we drive too fast for all the wrong reasons and some of us will be stopped, but not arrested, for drunk driving because we don't rat on other troopers. AS SPECIAL AGENTS, we have sworn to uphold the constitution. Yet some of us will go to prison this year because we did nothing when we saw other agents involved in criminal or unethical behavior because we don't rat on other agents. AS GUARDS, we protect each other against men and women convicted of the most heinous crimes. But we will ignore unethical or even criminal conduct of other guards. Because we don't rat on other guards. There is a code of silence in the criminal justice system that infects all levels, and the cost in lives destroyed or lost is enormous. It is not an infection we can cure, but it is an infection we can fight, by making a commitment to protect each other against ourselves as well as others. Michael W. Quinn

About this title

About the Author

Mike Quinn has been in law enforcement for 25 years, 23 1/2 of those with the Minneapolis Police Department and 18 months with the Minnesota Police Corps where he oversaw the design and development of the federally sponsored Police Corps Academy.

During his tenure with the Force Mike worked in some of the toughest and highest-profile units, serving over 300 high- risk warrants without a critical incident, conducting successful raids on armed and dangerous suspects, and diligently investigating allegations of internal criminal and departmental violations.

He is the recipient of numerous awards, including departmental Commendations, Awards of Merit, and a Unit Citation; an Outstanding Service Award from the FBI, a Leadership award from the Urban League, two Meritorious Masts from the United States Marine Corps, and the Lifetime Achievement in Law Enforcement Training award from the Association of Training of Officers of Minnesota. He is an acknowledged contributor to The Tactical Edge by Calibre Press and he regularly teaches and has testified as an expert witness on such topics as Self Defense for Civilians, Search and Seizure, Firearms, Rappelling, Defensive Tactics, Pressure Point Control Tactics, Deadly Force, Chemical Agents, High Risk Warrants and SWAT Tactics.

Mike was a member of the Emergency Response Unit for 17 years and was part of the joint FBI/Minneapolis Police SWAT team for 8 years. An active member of the Hibbing Community College Law Enforcement Advisory Board, Mike is still trying to make a difference in police training. A lifelong resident of Minneapolis, Mike lives with his wife of 30 plus years, with whom he shares a love for distance running, mountain biking, and the great outdoors.

Mike's success in law enforcement is reflected in the passion and commitment he brings to being an ethical cop. Walking with the Devil is another example of this commitment.

Review

I firmly believe that Mike Quinn s book should be mandatory reading for all recruits attending a police academy and on the International Association of Chiefs of Police professional development reading list. Whenever the opportunity presents itself I give this as a gift to young people as they prepare to start their career in Law Enforcement. --Richard Thomas, Chief of Police, Port Washington, Wisconsin and former Educational Consultant for the State of Wisconsin, Department of Justice, Training and Standards Bureau

Quinn s book reveals what really goes on behind the scenes. I learned stuff I never knew, including about one case I handled in the grand jury. Quinn describes police falsifying reports, committing perjury, and covering these acts by the Code of Silence. It's cover your partner's ass, because next time you may need the partner to cover yours. When Quinn saw misconduct, he went to superiors, first line supervising sergeants, lieutenants, and even deputy chiefs, getting no satisfaction. So, what s so important about this book? Itis that every judge should read it and understand the pressures and motivation that foster the police misconduct that defense lawyers seeevery day. Let s face it, these judges are incredibly naïve about police misconduct. They think the police tell the truth and defendants lie. When I was a third year law student doing a prosecutorial internship I was assigned a marijuana possession case. The defendantwas arrested in his living room and the police found the pot in the bedroom. This was just after the Supreme Court decided Chimel v. California in which the court said a search incident was limited to the arrestee's arm s reach. When I told this to the cop who seized the evidence, he said, Well, then, I found the pot in the living room. Needless to say I was shocked at his readiness to commit perjury and dismissed the case. Quinn details case after case of this sort of thing. Quinn makes the point that one cop can make a difference. He cites examples in which misbehaving police were told by coworkers to stop. The misconduct would stop in front of the complainant. Color me cynical, but who knows what happened elsewhere. Read this book and pass it on to the bench. It is a rare glimpse at a world that is indeed shrouded in the Code of Silence. --John C. Brink, Attorney Former Hennepin County Prosecutor, 2003-2010 Super Lawyer

Quinn challenges ethical officers with a simple, practical strategy for confronting an unethical environment. Walking With the Devil instills a sense of hope for cracking the blue code of silence. I recently referenced Quinn's concepts as I taught police ethics to the command staff of a police agency in a developing country. Without a doubt, Quinn's message is universal. A powerful read for those who believe in the ethical obligations of the police. --Chief Frank Kaminski (ret) Evanston, Illinois Police Department

Edition details

• Publisher: Quinn and Associates
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 097591250X
• ISBN 13: 9780975912508
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 180
• Editor: Margot T. Willett