Walking With the Devil: The Police Code of Silence

by Michael W. Quinn

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

Genres: Nonfiction, Police

180 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