Bad things happen when cops put up ‘ wall of silence’

The Dina and Donald Markham death case, two Chicago cops who died under violent and mysterious circumstances, is the current high- profile case yet to be solved, mishandled at every step by the Chicago Police Department, leaving multiple questions unanswered (“Nine questions about the mysterious deaths of two cops” — Nov. 13).

The public sees this only when blatant irregularities make them newsworthy, e. g., the David Koschman case, the Jon Burge cases and the Laquan McDonald case, to name a few. All involved “the blue wall of silence,” where cops clam up and conspire to protect one another. How many such cases remain hidden?

What is it about our police department that these transgressions occur without consequence until the press exposes them? It seems a conspiracy among City Hall, which gives the police department its marching orders; ineffective or hamstrung civilian oversight bodies; and the Fraternal Order of Police to ignore, obfuscate and willfully forget they happened, hoping the public won’t notice.

“Good” cops who might speak out are silenced by peer pressure, abetted by seeing wrongdoing cops go unpunished. The system does not protect them if they do break ranks and tell. Hence, cop- civilian trust and cooperation suffer. This abnormal reality is Chicago’s normal, until made right. Crusaders and outside pressure welcome, including federal court oversight. Ted Z. Manuel, Hyde Park SEND LETTERS, including your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes, to letters@ suntimes. com.