Walking with the Devil: The Police Code of Silence

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

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.