Blue code of silence

The blue code of silence, also known as the blue shield, is the
unwritten rule that police officers in the United States do not report
other officer’s misconducts, bribery or crimes. During interviews in
internal affairs investigations, the officers will claim ignorance of
the wrongdoing. No officer will testify against another officer.

Case scenario: Officer A is a gambler and lost
several thousand dollars at the casino. Officer B has a family and no
financial problems. Both officers are on patrol in a business
neighborhood. Officer B watches officer A leaving several small stores
with a stack of cash in his hands. He asks officer A about the money and
he answers that the store owners give him donations for patrolling the
stores at night and to ensure that they are not burglarized.

Based on the scenario discuss the following questions:

• Is officer A acting ethical?
• Are the actions of Officer A criminal?
• What would you do if you are officer B?
• Should officer B notify the supervisor or ignore it?