These are not mere metaphors, but literal ‘courtesy cards’

Known as blue privilege, there is an unwritten law among police officers: when they catch their fellow cop, or even their fellow cop’s family member or friend, breaking the law, they are let go without consequence. Situations that have led to the murder of minorities and poor people end far differently when police and their families are caught committing the same crimes.

In an era of rampant police corruption, where the thin blue line often blurs ethical and moral boundaries, rare whistleblowers like Officer Mathew Bianchi from the NYPD sometimes push back against these systems of blue privilege that warp the idea of justice. As we’ve pointed out in past articles, the police culture is riddled with ‘get out of jail free cards,’ a system of corruption that is often swept under the rug.

These are not mere metaphors, but literal ‘courtesy cards’ — tools of cronyism that serve as a passport for those with law enforcement connections to escape penalties for minor violations like speeding or not wearing seat belts. While these infractions may seem minor, frequent readers know that many people have been killed by the police for less.

Despite the NYPD’s non-recognition of these tokens, their tacit approval flows deep within the police culture, reflecting a systemic malaise that turns a blind eye to transgressions for the ‘privileged’ few.

Naturally and predictably, Officer Bianchi’s brave step to expose this pervasive privilege has been met with retaliation from his superiors. His federal lawsuit recounts tales of his frequent reprimands for daring to issue tickets to card-carrying relatives or friends of officers, revealing an ugly underbelly of selective enforcement. On multiple occasions, Bianchi alleges, his superiors scrutinized his body camera footage, seeking evidence of ‘harassment’ against these courtesy card holders.

What apparently triggered his punitive transfer from the traffic unit to a night patrol shift was his audacious decision to ticket a friend of Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, the NYPD’s top-ranking uniformed officer. Maddrey, who’s currently embroiled in a department trial for alleged misuse of power, didn’t respond to inquiries regarding Bianchi’s claims, according to the AP.

This nefarious ‘courtesy card’ system, according to Bianchi, is an everyday reality within the NYPD. Cops routinely receive stacks of these cards, effectively creating an environment of selective enforcement where those without law enforcement ties are more likely to be penalized. This practice, he asserts, inherently prejudices against those who are unlikely to have these ‘get out of jail free cards.’

In a city that boasts the motto “Equal Justice Under Law,” the ubiquitous existence of these cards and their presence on sale platforms like eBay raises serious questions about the state of our justice system. As John Nuthall, a spokesperson for the Police Benevolent Association (NYPD’s largest union) sidesteps the issue saying it’s up to ‘management’ to set policy, one can’t help but become cynical about all these promised “reforms” we so often hear about from politicians.

In a system that should value fairness and equality, Officer Bianchi proves the opposite is the rule — good cops are persecuted for refusing to bend to corruption.

Article posted with permission from Matt Agorist