Wall Of Silence (Noun)
Meaning
The secrecy of police officers who lie or look the other way to protect other police officers; "the blue wall cracked when some officers refused to take part in the cover-up".
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- A wall of silence descended upon the police department as allegations of corruption began to surface.
- The blue wall of silence was apparent as officer after officer testified that they had seen nothing unusual on the night of the incident.
- After years of investigation, the wall of silence finally cracked when a rookie officer came forward with damning evidence.
- The commission's inquiry was hindered by a wall of silence from veteran officers who refused to implicate their colleagues.
- Frustrated by the lack of cooperation, the prosecutor vowed to break the wall of silence that had protected corrupt officers for so long.