Walking with the Devil: The Police Code of Silence: What Bad Cops Don't Want You to Know and Good Cops Won't Tell You
Michael W Quinn's new book, Walking With the Devil: The Police Code of Silence, is a must read for every ethical person involved in the legal system. Quinn writes in vivid street cop language, compelling police recruits', and our, attention with gritty adrenaline laced descriptions of the life and death, 'slippery with blood and sweat' survival-mode situations in which gut instincts, 'amygdala hijackings, propel even the most ethical cops into difficult battles with the code of silence... --Clara NiiSka, Guest Reviewer, National Lawyers GuildQuinn'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 see every day. Let's face it, these judges are incredibly naive 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 LawyerTo me the great mystery of law enforcement has always been why 98% of our police officers do a difficult job well but will cover-up for the other 2%, with whom we would all be better off without Mike Quinn has helped to explain why and how that occurs. Congratulations on an important statement that should be required reading for every Chief of Police, Prosecutor, and Judge in the United States. --D.P. Van Blaricom, Chief of Police Retired, Police Practices Expert