The Blue Wall: Code Of Silence Among Police
The Blue Wall
Essay #4
The Blue Wall is a code of silence among police officers. It symbolizes police officers failure to report incidents of police misconduct that they observe and the unwillingness of officers to testify against each other. Many police departments are like a fraternity or brotherhood where police officers are committed to protecting each other, right or wrong. This wall of silence is re-enforced in New York by a 48-hour rule that exempts a police officer from issuing any statement about an incident in which they were involved for two full working days. Officers who do break the wall of silence are often no longer backed up on jobs by their partners -- thereby putting their lives in further danger.
The line between police brutality and the proper force used in any situation is not always clearly drawn. Police officers are in constant danger and need …show more content…
Abner Louima a Haitian immigrant was arrested outside a dance club in Brooklyn, and was brutally assaulted when he arrived at the police station. Louima says that the officers stopped the car three times to beat him. During the attack the cops called Mr. Louima "a nigger" and threatened to kill him if he reported the incident. Volpe a long time police officer was accused of shoving a plunger into Louima's rectum so far that his bladder and intestines were lacerated. Then he shoved the plunger into Louima's mouth and broke his teeth. I can't imagine the force that must have been used to do that type of internal damage to someone. I also don't understand how a person, especially a police officer could do that to another human being. Mr. Louima was left permanently disabled and raped. Of the seven cops who had charges brought against them; four were convicted, and only two were sentenced to jail. Now only one remains
Essay #4
The Blue Wall is a code of silence among police officers. It symbolizes police officers failure to report incidents of police misconduct that they observe and the unwillingness of officers to testify against each other. Many police departments are like a fraternity or brotherhood where police officers are committed to protecting each other, right or wrong. This wall of silence is re-enforced in New York by a 48-hour rule that exempts a police officer from issuing any statement about an incident in which they were involved for two full working days. Officers who do break the wall of silence are often no longer backed up on jobs by their partners -- thereby putting their lives in further danger.
The line between police brutality and the proper force used in any situation is not always clearly drawn. Police officers are in constant danger and need …show more content…
Abner Louima a Haitian immigrant was arrested outside a dance club in Brooklyn, and was brutally assaulted when he arrived at the police station. Louima says that the officers stopped the car three times to beat him. During the attack the cops called Mr. Louima "a nigger" and threatened to kill him if he reported the incident. Volpe a long time police officer was accused of shoving a plunger into Louima's rectum so far that his bladder and intestines were lacerated. Then he shoved the plunger into Louima's mouth and broke his teeth. I can't imagine the force that must have been used to do that type of internal damage to someone. I also don't understand how a person, especially a police officer could do that to another human being. Mr. Louima was left permanently disabled and raped. Of the seven cops who had charges brought against them; four were convicted, and only two were sentenced to jail. Now only one remains