In all fairness, police have a difficult job, and one where they are subject to much abuse, as well as false accusations.
So the police are typically charitable to each other, with an “innocent before guilty” attitude. However, if a cop is convicted of a crime, everything changes. All the other cops turn against him, if not actively, then passively. They will no longer support him.
Problems only arise in three situations. The first is when they turn on each other with just an accusation from an outsider. Second is when the rest of the cops do not turn on one of their number convicted of a crime.
And the third is when there is an internal dispute in the department.
Very well said