Blue Wall Of Silence: The Negative Effects Of Police Culture

Police culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, and practices of the police force within a given society. It is a subculture that is distinct from the broader culture of the society it serves, and it is shaped by the unique demands and challenges of policing work. Arguably, the police force shares certain biases with the general public. From the association of Black communities with criminality produced through media (news & entertainment) & stats, Police Culture has created a racist symbolic imagination. As viewed in the course, blackness has become “identified as a social disorder in the public consciousness” (Meadows, Broken Window Policing). Although the central feature of police culture is its focus on maintaining order and controlling

Most notably known as the "blue wall of silence”, this refers to the tendency of police officers to not report on the misconduct of their colleagues and to close ranks in the face of external criticism. This code of silence is reinforced by a sense of shared identity and solidarity within the police force, as well as by a sense of us-versus-them mentality towards the public and the media that has created a dangerous relationship between police and citizen. The effects of police culture can be both positive and negative. Firstly, it has proven to promote a strong feeling of loyalty among officers and has helped ensure that they can effectively pursue their duties in difficult and dangerous situations. However, it has also led to a culture of impunity and a lack of accountability for misconduct as seen in cases like George Floyd that perpetuated racist policing and promoted

The documentary raises important concerns about the reliability of Alberta's police oversight system and the way the Calgary Police Service addresses complaints. In the winter of 2013, Godfred Addai-Nyamekye, a 26-year-old student and immigrant from Ghana, claims that his life was drastically altered during a cold night when his car skidded off the road and became stuck in the snow. As seen in the film, two police officers arrived at the scene, placed him in their vehicle, and drove him away from his home. According to court documents, the officers assert that Addai-Nyamekye had become confrontational, which he denies, and instead became the victim of brutal police violence. Godfred spent nearly 15 minutes on phone with 911 before constable Lindsay arrived on the scene, in one case, the Constable had stated to stop calling 911 and asking for help, pushed him, tasered him, and began beating him. Godfred filed a formal complaint with the police one month after the incident and Roger Chaffin, Chief of Calgary Police Service (2015-2018) had the