Mike Quinn was once a member of the decoy unit investigating robberies on Hennepin Avenue. During one incident he admits to firing a round within an inch of an unarmed assailants head.
Quinn says at the time of the incident he was under the command of good officers who convinced him to take his lumps and move on. Something he says there are too few of. He's written a new book titled "Walking With The Devil". In it, he makes a scathing indictment of the Minneapolis Police Department. "I'd been surrounded by law enforcement growing up," Quinn writes. "But I had no clue about the extent of police corruption, drinking on the job, lying in reports, unsecured businesses that were being burglarized by cops, beating up prisoners, especially if they were black, Indian, or drunk." Quinn says the problem of officers adhering to the so-called 'code of silence' rather than challenge the bad cops is a nationwide problem. He says it's a difficult decision to report illegal behavior, a decision he made when he turned in his partner for drinking on the job. That decision he says left him isolated by his colleagues. "An old timer told me 'nobody approves of that guy drinking on the job. What they don't approve of is you snitched him off � serious accidents can happen to people who do that,," Quinn said. Quinn oversaw officer training for years as a member of the Minneapolis Police Department's emergency response unit. He recalls one time he showed up at a burglary where cops arrived before him. He says some of them were stashing bags with fishing tackle for themselves � and his superiors knew about it. Scott Magnuson-Martinson, a law enforcement instructor at Normandale Community College says Quinn's book is what a true look at real policing. Mangnuson-Martinson says the book does a great job detailing ethical dilemmas officers in big cities or small towns will face. Quinn's concerns aren't just about what happened when he was an officer, but what is going on today. He says, "I talked to a copper yesterday who's working in Minneapolis. You still got cops doing illegal warrant. You had cops stealing batteries. We had the two cops shaking down drunks for cash. "Walking With The Devil" will generate debate and discussion at the Minneapolis Police Department where Quinn worked for 25 years. Current Chief and Former Chief John Laux say they haven't read the book. Former Chief Robert Olson declined to comment on it. Mike Quinn now works as a federal security officer. By Bernie Grace, KARE 11 News. (Copyright 2004 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.) Last Updated: 9/24/2004 11:48:20 AM Posted by Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood -- ___________________________________________________________ Sign-up for Ads Free at Mail.com http://promo.mail.com/adsfreejump.htm REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
