Everyone has heard of the Blue Wall of Silence, civilians and cops alike everywhere in the USA. The meaning however can differ from cop to cop and from civilian to civilian. Why is that? The reason is that every scenario, every split second decision and the aftermath that occurs is handled differently. One of the three reasons must be different in some way. Most of the time when you hear about the Blue Wall of Silence you immediately think of a Police Cover-up. That is one of many reasons but today I just want to explore that thin line between Cop and Rat. If you ever had the experience of being labeled a Rat then your career is pretty much over. The worst thing you could be is not a muderer, rapist or lying, cheating bastard, no the worst thing is being a Rat. You earn the label Rat in many ways. I find that the label is given all too easily. Some are not deserving. A mere fuck up can earn you the label...not fair you say, well haven't you heard that the job is not on the level and no one ever said this job was fair. This is not a subject I can cover in two or three paragraphs so I hope you will follow me on this one and give me your straight and honest opinions and/or comments. Lets start in the very beginning when you are still going through your interview to become a Police Officer and are handing in your entire life to an Investigator. An Investigator can be just a simple Police Officer with a desk job with just 3 or 4 years on the job, may or may not even have any patrol experience. This person can ruin your career before it even starts. They can make or break you with the power of the pen or one phone call. Speaking of that one phone call isn't ironic that one simple phone call is all it takes for you to be labeled a Rat. If you rub your Investigator the wrong way you are doomed. Basically the ass kissing starts here. Of course I am only talking about those of us who are unfortunute because we don't have a HOOK. Not having that mighty HOOK means we are free game. The Investigator can rush your paperwork or delay it. This can mean a difference of one or two years or your folder can be buried somewhere never to be found. In short that first appearance matters, you will be judged by the cover of the book. You are sized up and put into a category that they have made up. Every Investigator is different. Here goes just five things I have seen you could be labeled a Rat for from the very beginning:
1. You question them in a way to intimidate them. Do not take control of the interview.
2. You are too squeaky clean. You look like Internal Affairs.
3. You were in an Internal Affairs Division with another department or you have a family member that is, yes you will be guilty by association. The latter part also means you can not be affiliated with anyone else that was labeled a Rat.
4. They just don't like you. They just believe you could be a Rat. This is not your time to shine.
5. You make negative comments about another cop. It doesn't matter if this cop just got convicted for the murder of his own wife...do not give your opinion. If you are asked give the shortest, safest answer you can think of. Maybe its time to play stupid.
For many of us its a gamble, you may not have necessarily said or have done anything wrong. Any other stories out there?
About Me
- Forever Blue
- I Write so that other law enforcement know that they are not alone. If you have reached that dark place, you are not the first to get there. Its so easy to lose yourself. I write because others are quick to judge. Some because of their own insecurities and some because of ignorance. I write for those that have actually died of a broken heart. As a cop there are many highs and lows and we need to learn how to deal with both. I write because there are good cops who do the best they can with the little they have. Because there are rogue cops and because racial profiling does exist.