[helterskelter]

I agree with this sentiment but when you start punishing this sort of thing you create more incentive to cover it up. It's a tricky problem and I'm not sure there's a perfect solution.

What we really need is a change in police culture.

[retrochameleon]

Then the system should be redesigned such that transparency is a priority and cover ups are not feasible. And when cover ups eventually get found out, the punishments even more severe.

[true_religion]

We already have administrative punishments for the police when they incorrectly assign blame and cause a public relations mess.

Is the termination of your career and/or potential retraining and social embarrassment not already an incentive to cover up?

[tremon]

If the punishment fails to correct the behaviour, it is insufficient punishment or the wrong punishment. In this case, I'd say that individual punishments are the wrong tool to correct systemic behaviour. It should be career-ending for brass and prosecutors to be effective.

[jcgrillo]

> change in police culture

until then, there's a simple rule which works well: never talk to a cop. Or at least say the minimum number of words possible, give them nothing to use against you. Present ID if they ask for it, but never admit anything. If they persist, "lawyer". That has worked for me.

[account42]

Add even more disincentives for coverups (i.e. hard prison time) and rewards for whistleblowers.

[vablings]

Medicine has a culture that adapts to this quite well. If you make an honest mistake and communicate it, you are often persecuted by your peers but not hung out to dry legally by your hospital and generally your actions are always defensible.

Similar practices are used in law enforcement, but the legal implications are seemingly more severe