Dear Mr. Silvergate:
I’m a lawyer in San Diego County. I’ve been on both sides as a former cop and former deputy public defender. While friends would rather I didn’t express this opinion, in general, I agree with the concept written in your article [Civilian Cops]. It is one way to assail the problems of police brutality. The code of silence, however, is not alive and well everywhere. As it probably is in New York City and L.A. About 92% of the police agencies in California are considered “small” departments (under 50 sworn officers). S.D., S.F., and L.A. are the large ones. Escondido is an exception, for example. With 150 sworn in officers, the police supervisors I know do not condone or take part in permitting unlawful or unethical conduct. When faced with it, they are not merely truthful but ethical. Unlawful or unethical conduct is reported and investigated.
