Soldierly Honesty (and spies)

[Figleaf23]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

Most police agencies even in corrupt polities do not in fact work that way. Being Honest may make it unlikely that you'll get promoted, and may make your work more dangerous, but it is still usually more about what you are allowed to do than what you must do.

Forgive me, but I find that unconvincing, unsupported, and a mismatch with personal experience even in a 'free and democratic' society. In reality, in places where the rule is to ignore or break the rules, you toe the line or you're not welcome.

Suppose for example that you were a city cop in Moscow, then or now. Your boss isn't going to kill you for not beating confessions out of suspects. But your clearance rate might not be very good so you can forget getting promoted.

When your buddies are all cracking heads and breaking the law, and you're an Honest cop, what is your formal duty? And what do you really do?