Wendy Murphy: Media Obsession Over Bad Cops Hurts Good Police

Columnist argues that the public's focus on a few bad officers overshadows the good work of the vast majority of law enforcement.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 9:04am

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A cinematic painting of a solitary police officer standing on a dimly lit city street corner, the warm glow of the setting sun casting long shadows across the scene and highlighting the officer's solitary presence, conveying a sense of the unsung work and sacrifices made by many in law enforcement.A lone officer's quiet vigil reflects the unsung contributions of the majority of police, often overshadowed by the media's focus on misconduct.Boston Today

Columnist Wendy Murphy argues that the media's obsession with covering the misdeeds of a small number of police officers is unfairly damaging the reputation of the vast majority of good cops. She contends that 99% of officers never get in trouble, yet their positive contributions are drowned out by the intense scrutiny on the rare instances of police misconduct. Murphy believes this is breeding dangerous public hatred towards law enforcement and undermining their ability to effectively enforce the law.

Why it matters

This commentary touches on the ongoing debate around police accountability and public trust in law enforcement. Murphy's perspective highlights concerns that the focus on bad cops may be overshadowing the important work of the majority of officers and eroding public support for policing, which could have serious consequences for public safety.

The details

Murphy argues that when a cop makes a mistake, it receives intense media coverage, while similar misconduct by ordinary citizens often goes unreported. She cites examples like state troopers stealing overtime pay versus welfare fraud, saying the disproportionate attention on police wrongdoing is unfair. Murphy also criticizes the "defund the police" movement, saying more funding is needed to hire better quality officers, not less. She believes charging officers like Nicholas O'Malley with manslaughter for split-second decisions made under challenging conditions sends the wrong message and will embolden criminals.

  • In 2015-2017, state troopers in Massachusetts were prosecuted for taking illegal overtime pay.
  • Former Suffolk County District Attorney Rachel Rollins announced in 2021 that her office would no longer prosecute shoplifting cases under $1,500, leading to a spike in such crimes.

The players

Wendy Murphy

A columnist who has written extensively about criminal justice and law enforcement issues.

Nicholas O'Malley

A Boston Police Officer charged with manslaughter by Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden for a shooting incident.

Kevin Hayden

The Suffolk County District Attorney who charged Officer O'Malley with manslaughter.

Rachel Rollins

The former Suffolk County District Attorney who announced her office would no longer prosecute shoplifting cases under $1,500.

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What they’re saying

“Ninety-nine percent of cops never get in trouble. But their good work is drowned out by obsessive public attention to a handful of bad cops, and it's breeding dangerous hatred.”

— Wendy Murphy, Columnist

“If a story comes out about how a cop lied in a police report, we should condemn the lie while reminding each other that most cops don't lie.”

— Wendy Murphy, Columnist

What’s next

A grand jury will decide whether the manslaughter charge against Officer O'Malley will stick. O'Malley will have the opportunity to testify before the grand jury and provide his perspective on the incident.

The takeaway

This commentary highlights the need for a more balanced public discourse around policing, one that acknowledges the good work of the majority of officers while still holding the small minority of bad cops accountable. Unfairly vilifying all police risks undermining public safety and eroding trust in law enforcement.