TV Show: The Shield

[Dave Gray]

This question is specifically for Defense, although everyone can chime in.

The Shield (for those who haven't seen it) is a really interesting show.  I just started watching it and I like it because the concepts of good and bad are very blurred.

In the first season, the story focuses on a police precinct in Detroit (I think).  It's an ensemble cast, but the main players involve Vic -- a cop in a special task force that is very crooked.  He takes a little on the side, works deals with crooks, etc.  But his intentions seem to be for the greater good.  He wants to keep murderers and rapists off the street, so if that means he steals some coke from one drug dealer to give it to another, so that he can get info on a bigger fish, he'll take it.  He searches without warrants, roughs people up, and even kills people who cross him.  But again, it's all for good -- in his eyes at least.

On the other end of the spectrum is the chief of the department, who wants everything done by the book.  However, his motives are unclear.  It's as if he wants to catch Vic (the crooked cop), not because it's the right thing to do, but because it will vault him into a career of politics.

And there are many characters in the middle of that struggle.

The good guys are bad and good.  The bad guys are good and bad.

Anyway, the question is -- does this stuff really happen in practice?  Do cops ever frame criminals they KNOW are criminals to get the evidence they need?  Do they pay off people to say they saw something suspicious in order to get a warrant that they really shouldn't?  Do they skim off the top, etc?  I'm sure this happens somewhere, but is it something you've ever seen or known about firsthand?

[Defense54]

First off next time you watch the Shield take notice where their badges are. All Cops  and Law Enforcement in general were ours over our hearts becuase That is were courage comes from.  Its a reminder to what and why we do what we do.  On the Shield they were them on the Right side........on purpose, becuase the writers want people to know this show is completely fiction and factless.

Do things happen once and a while? Sure.  But these people always get cuaght eventually.  Internal Affairs police are by far some of the smartest people I have ever met. I would NEVER lie to them becuase when they are asking you something , most likely they know the answer already , they are just trying to catch you in a lie. Then you are done.

No agency would be able to funtion if they were as currupt as the ones on the shield. No for long anyways. Not in this day and age of Video taped phones, Mics the size of a pinhead.

Back in the 1970's? Oh yeah.  In 1984 in Staten Island NY I was stopped by NYPD for DUI. I was 17.  Cop reached in took my stereo out and asked if I had a problem with that?  he then took my keys and tossed them in the weeds. Said I should be sober by the time I found them. You know what? It beat a DUI.   If that cop did that now eventually he would find someone who was video taping or Micing the stop. Hell.........ALL of my stops are recorded now for my protection as well as theirs. I've had people said I called them the "N" word on a stop in court. I remind them that it was recorded and if they continue I will prove I didn't and then arrest them again.

So to answer your question.........I think all people have good and bad in them, but the bad displayed in that show is just not possible in this day and age. At least not for long.  Those perps ViC abuses on a daily basis would just need to tape one of their conversations and he would be toast.

[bsfins]

I don't watch the Shield,but stuff like this does happen  I've had a more than a few police officers walk up to me after court,and tell me...You know he's guilty...