Stone: Good cops must report bad cops

If you see something, say something.

Every police force has a certain degree of “Blue Silence” — good cops who see bad behavior by fellow officers, and say nothing.

The high school bully that becomes a cop, and applies just a little more force than necessary against a minority or vulnerable citizen. The cop who speaks with just a little more hostility than necessary when stopping a black or brown driver. It can be very subtle, but not to black and brown folks. They understand it, because they live it.

Good cops must speak up against the bad cops when they see something. If they do not, the bad cop becomes emboldened, escalating aggressive behavior sometimes to a level of violence we witnessed in Minneapolis.

Justice not administered fairly and equitably is not justice at all.

Larry Stone is the Santa Clara County Assessor, an elected position he’s held since 1994.