On: California keeps a secret list of criminal cops, but says you can’t have it

[badfrog]

Another potential reason is that the list would be a great starting point for somebody who was looking for a police officer to bribe.

I'm not saying that's sufficient justification, just spitballing ideas.

[DoreenMichele → badfrog]

The fact that it's currently a secret actually makes them potentially vulnerable to blackmail. Airing it would remove that threat.

[badfrog → DoreenMichele]

I meant that on average a police officer who has committed a crime in the past is more susceptible than one who has not.

It seems your suggestion is that people would fight to keep their past crimes secret? That's an interesting alternative view.

[DoreenMichele → badfrog]

Blackmail requires the existence of a dirty secret. No (dirty) secret = no blackmail.

I do realize blackmail and bribery are not the same thing.

[penagwin → DoreenMichele]

In either case, it's likely harder to bribe or blackmail a police officer you found at random vs you know has a criminal record.

(Not stating any political ideas, just following through with the logic of this discussion)

[api → badfrog]

That's a better idea than mine. It could also potentially out undercovers.