blue wall of silence

plural blue walls of silence

1. idiomaticStrict secretiveness maintained by the members of a police force with respect to information which might be contrary to their interests, especially information concerning questionable police actions.

   On the streets it is called "No snitching." In law enforcement it is called "The blue wall of silence".

   2009 June 6, Donald Winkfield, “Manhattan DA’s Keystone Verdict”, in Black Star News, retrieved 12 Aug 2012

   3 more examples

   We've all heard of the Blue Wall of Silence, the code under which cops stay mum about rogue cops who poison the barrel.

   1985 June 25, Sydney H. Schanberg, “New York: The Concrete Wall of Silence”, in New York Times, retrieved 12 Aug 2012

   When the blue wall of silence broke, it was all over for New York City police officer Justin Volpe. The witnesses for the prosecution had badges, and they had stories to tell.

   1999 May 25, Frank Pellegrini, “Too Despicable for the Blue Wall of Silence”, in Time

   The indictment of officer Michael Roberts also highlights another color barrier that can complicate matters of police discipline—that's the so-called blue wall of silence. Former Minneapolis police officer Mike Quinn says that wall is what keeps some cops from turning in their fellow cops.

   2008 July 15, Brandt Williams, Elizabeth Stawicki, “Minneapolis cop indicted on corruption charges”, in Minnesota Public Radio, retrieved 12 Aug 2012

   Synonyms: blue code, blue code of silence, blue wall