The 'Blue Shield' doesn't protect anyone

The ‘Blue Shield’ is simply an organizational form of the ‘Code of Silence.’  It’s when the agency conducts itself in a manner to shield the agency and employees from being held accountable for misconduct.  Internal Affairs and the administrative investigation process should protect the image of the agency and deal with misconduct openly and forcibly.  When done properly, the process will protect the top cop.  When done improperly, it often results in the downfall of the top cop.

Years ago in an interview on the Code of Silence, longtime police executive Joe McNamara, related to Ed Bradley of CBS ’60 Minutes’ that Internal Affairs was part of the problem.  He alleged that IA didn’t want to bring out corruption within an agency because it would adversely affect the position of the Chief. 

It’s sad, but true.  Too many good top cops have been knocked off their pedestals when they acquiesce to internal cover-ups or are purposefully kept in the dark.  Sheriff Lee Baca is a prime example.  A top cop who did great things for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, but apparently failed when it came to overseeing misconduct.

Former LA Sheriff Lee Baca To Plead Guilty To Making False Statements In a plea deal, Baca admitted he lied when he said he didn't know anything about efforts to obstruct an FBI probe into corruption and abuse in his department. Read this story

When Internal Affairs acquiesces to politics or internal pressures to not tell the truth, the agency and the top cop will end up becoming tarnished.  The true meaning of loyalty is often clouded.  It is not blind obedience.  It is not hiding the truth.  It is not trying to protect someone’s butt.

Loyalty in law enforcement is the protection of the Constitution, guardian of the civil rights of all constituents, and always being truthful to the facts.  The Internal Affairs function is the key element to professional, responsive policing.