Walking With the Devil

by Michael W. Quinn

Michael W. Quinn's new book, Walking With the Devil: The Police Code of Silence, is a must-read for every ethical person involved with the legal system. Quinn writes in vivid street-cop language, compelling police recuits'--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, the implicit rule that a cop never 'snitches' on another cop. When he has our attention, he leads us through the "terrible internal struggles" of honesty and ethics. Quinn is bluntly honest about "cop culture" and institutional pressures toward corruption, including "creative report writing" and "testilying." Quinn guides his readers into a gut-level understanding of real-life ethics. He addresses the criminally-serious problems detailed in his book, describing outstanding successes of two police units he supervised, "that refused to use the Code," and debunks the 'top ten' "Myths of Policing." The Police Code of Silence is a profoundly power- ful text book. When studied with the dedicated seriousness of a police recruit at the Academy, Michael Quinn's teaching builds and strengthens ethics beyond abstract intellectual knowledge, into the very fibers of one's being. Even in those of us who believe ourselves to deeply ethical, Quinn's book can awaken and nurture a deeper understanding of ethics as a vital part of life in every moment.

Genres: Nonfiction, Police

277 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Geri Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was doing research for a book I am writing that involves its own version of "The Code of Silence" when I found Michael Quinn's book "Walking with the Devil".
I purchased the book a while back but never had the chance to read it. My husband and I were having to make several trips to our camp to do some renovation and I thought the one hour drive back and forth would be a good opportunity to read the book aloud so that my husband could enjoy it. Once I started, I looked forward to our trips just to get back to this book.
As a new fictional author, I want my books to be as real as possible. "Walking with the Devil" touched on so many areas that I had included in my first few drafts and validated much of what motivated my characters who are both in law enforcement and dealing with an ethical dilemma that will either cost them their jobs or their lives.
I highly recommend Michael Quinn's book to any writer building characters in law enforcement. Not only is his work educational, it is a real page turner, and his own accounts offer much to the fallibility of every man integrity when struggling with ethical decisions in any work environment.
It is pointless for me to reiterate all the great things that have been said in other reviews, but I have to agree with their praise. This book is a must read for everyone!
I also would like to add that the author recommended watching the movie Clockers directed by Spike Lee. I don't necessarily chose movies of this genre for my personal entertainment preferences but OH MY GOODNESS!!! this is a great film!

Thank you Michael Quinn for enriching my life.

[Christopher · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not generally one to let a book defeat me but this was one of them I hate to admit. For someone who served in law enforcement for all those years, the author of this book does nothing but paint everything in very broad strokes. Within a few pages I realized that this was a nauseating read on how he's practically a saint of an officer and everyone else around him was corrupt or turned a blind eye to it. If you believe Quinn's book then there aren't a few bad apples in the barrel but that the whole barrel is rotten to core.

I skimmed through the book to see if it was worth continuing but instead it only seemed to get worse. I knew the book was deeply in trouble when I came across him writing about an undercover detail in which a suspect physically attacked him nearly knocking him unconscious. Quinn went on to write that after firing his gun to stop the suspect from punching him ("missing him by an inch"), Quinn felt bad that he nearly shot an unarmed person. Excuse me but when a suspect had nearly beaten you unconscious and could gain control of your duty gun, its game on. The suspect chose to take that action, an officer should be choosing actions to quickly end the conflict.

And in case anyone is wondering, I've been doing this for nearly 15 years.

[Atar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking With The Devil-The Police Code of Silence is another of those books that should be required reading for all law enforcement agencies, high schools, colleges, and politicians. A very well written look at how police protect they’re own and the consequences of those actions. As well as why it happens. Micheal Quinn a retired police officer doesn’t throw shade or place blame, he talks from the heart about experiences both personal and of others, which makes it such a good book. I do however have a small issue with what I consider him being bit hypocritical, but that’s for you to decide. Overall I think this a very worthy read and one of the most thought provoking on the issues of the police code of silence or “the thin blue line” that officers and the communities they serve deal with.

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of interesting points about the Code of Silence, but reads half as a call for more ethical policing and half as an excuse for poor behavior, including his own. Reading this in the wake of George Floyd's death its enlightening that if this was an officer fighting for improved ethics in his department and met considerable headwind, no wonder that department has continued to see problems in recent years leading up to the present day. Even his tone often comes across often as defensive of current policing in ways much at odds with his broader point regarding ethics.

In addition, the book is often repetitive and could use a closer editing.

[Michaela Sherrard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for a course at uni. Pretty good read though.

[Wodin · Rating 3 out of 5]

He's a cop against the Code of Silence, so he tries, but he still excuses way too many as 'good cops who are stuck' who watch others attack, beat, and kill.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing I didn't already know.

[Linn Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great quick read- interesting information about the alleged Code of Silence that exists in policing. Actually thought the book was insightful and interesting although would have preferred more testimonials from officers- book was heavy on "cited" info.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. I have now read it twice. It makes you realize what many cops have to deal with, besides their job.

[Derek Aragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

Good read for those in promotional processes. A lot of different views on many subjects. A lot of the subject matter is relative today as it was few years back.

[Paula Bartlett]

A