I use to believe it was just a few bad apples (law enforcement).

[NCTraveler]

The manner in which they investigate themselves has proven to fail over the decades. That is why I now know I was actually wrong in my thinking. Those taking part directly in the act were the apples. That is how I saw things. Yet the cover-ups and fake investigations into their own actions make each one of them a bad apple. You see, I have personally witnessed investigations into law enforcement officers with very acceptable results. Not just one, but numerous investigations. Including investigations that ended in charges being filed against officers. Investigations that were hugely beneficial in civil suits. That clouded my vision. Personal experience will often do that and often outweighs what is going on country wide.

I use to believe it was just a few bad apples. If any farm put out this many bad apples they would be in the unemployment line.

[Drale]

1. Even if it is just a few bad apples

the other officers are guilty of allowing those bad apples to continue. This is coming from someone with Chicago Police in my family and I know they know bad cops but they'd never do anything about it.

[HassleCat]

2. Easier to County the Good Apples

My brother in law is a homicide detective in the Los Angeles area. He confirms that most investigations are conducted primarily for the purpose of clearing the cops. He also confirms that many cops are not exactly geniuses. One of his favorite sayings is, "It's a good thing criminals are stupid, because the cops are not much smarter."

[petronius]

3. The 'bad apple' threshold has been set way too high in years past, but

maybe that's changing. Every cop who lies, covers up, looks the other way, or otherwise enables LEO misconduct is a bad apple - and by that standard it's almost certainly more than a few...

[tech3149]

4. Another factor is the incremental desensitization

Whether it's corruption for personal benefit or abuse of power, every incident that goes uncorrected will lead to a normalization of what behavior is acceptable. Even the most honorable and well intentioned graduate of the academy can find themselves over a period of years accepting or participating in actions they would never consider when they started their career.