Ep 1. Chicago PD: Breaking the Code of Silence
- TV-NR
- May 24, 2019
- 41 min
-
8.3 (15)
Whistleblower is a thrilling television series that depicts some of the most daring acts of whistleblowing in recent American history. Season 2 of the series begins with the explosive episode "Chicago PD: Breaking the Code of Silence," which promises to push the envelope even further and shine a light on one of the most notorious police departments in the country.
In this episode, viewers will get an inside look at the inner workings of the Chicago Police Department, where a code of silence has allowed officers to get away with countless acts of misconduct and abuse of power. The episode centers on one brave whistleblower, Shannon Spalding, who risked her career and her life to expose corruption within the department.
Spalding, a former Chicago police officer, witnessed firsthand the ways in which police brutality and cover-ups were allowed to flourish within the department. Despite being warned to stay quiet, she decided to team up with another officer, Danny Echevarria, to secretly record her colleagues and gather evidence of their misconduct.
The episode is a gripping tale of one woman's fight for justice in the face of overwhelming odds. Through interviews with Spalding, Echevarria, and other key players, viewers will learn how the two officers risked everything to bring their evidence to light. They faced harassment and retaliation from their colleagues, as well as threats to their safety and the safety of their families.
Viewers will also hear from victims of police brutality, including Ronald Kitchen, who spent 21 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit after being coerced into confessing by CPD officers. Kitchen's case was one of many that Spalding and Echevarria worked to expose, and the episode gives a chilling look at how the department's "code of silence" allowed officers to get away with such egregious wrongdoing for years.
Despite the risks, Spalding and Echevarria never gave up their quest for justice. They worked tirelessly to build their case, even traveling to Washington, DC to meet with the Department of Justice and press for a federal investigation into the CPD. The episode culminates with the stunning revelation that their efforts paid off: in 2014, the DOJ launched a civil rights investigation into the department that led to sweeping reforms.
Overall, "Chicago PD: Breaking the Code of Silence" is a riveting episode that highlights the bravery of whistleblowers in the face of corruption and injustice. Viewers will be left on the edge of their seats as they watch Spalding and Echevarria risk everything to shine a light on the corruption within one of the largest police departments in the country.