The story
From perp (“perpetrator”) + walk. First use appears c. 1980. See cite below.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Today it means: The intentional public display before news cameras of a person in police custody, especially someone famous or notorious, for the purpose of satisfying public interest, demonstrating the effectiveness of the authorities, or shaming the person. Full definition →
From perp (“perpetrator”) + walk. First use appears c. 1980. See cite below.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.