Member-only story
Blue Privilege
In cases of misconduct, American law enforcement officers enjoy the protections of police unions and their all but elusive connections to high-ranking officials in local government, local police departments, and district attorneys to maintain secrecy and avoid accountability.
Police union contracts with cities all over the country offer many protections for officers facing complaints from the public for excessive use of force, corruption, murder, and a whole host of other crimes. These contracts cover everything from withholding information from the public to letting officers view the evidence against them prior to being interrogated.
Union contracts with cities across the nation use language that gives officers an unfair advantage over the legal system. Privileges not afforded to the citizens they are sworn to protect and serve. In addition, they also use language that gives officers access to the names of complainants and the nature of the complaint before being interrogated.
In Houston, the Police Union contract states that officers are to be given access to all witness statements prior to interrogation. Section 30.4 reads as follows: “An officer is entitled to and shall be provided written statements or affidavits received or gathered by the investigative authority from witnesses, officers or supervisors obtained during the investigation before the officer’s interrogation, if the interrogation is based in whole or in part upon such witness’ statement(s). If an officer is not given the witness’ statement(s), any such statement may not be used to support an administrative action or discipline against the officer.”
In Chicago, in section 6.1.E of the Police Union contract states: “Immediately prior to the interrogation of an Officer under investigation, he or she shall be informed in writing of the nature of the complaint and the names of all complainants.”
In Miami, Section 8.1.D of the Police Union contract states: “All identifiable witnesses shall be interviewed, whenever possible, prior to the beginning of the investigative interview of the accused officer. The complaint, all witness statements, including all other existing subject officer statements, and all other existing evidence must be provided to each officer who is the subject of the complaint before the beginning of any investigative…
