--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We had a cop or two that were…" description: "\"We had a cop or two that were questionable, and probably they shouldn't have been on the job, but they were. You have that: a police department reflect..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/220/ron-stallworth-11243_apple_we-had-a-cop-or-two-that-were-questionab_2910121.jpg" --- # We had a cop or two that were questionable, and probably… ![“We had a cop or two that were questionable, and probably they shouldn't have been on the job, but they were. You have that: a police department reflects the community that it serves, and it's going to have a bad apple or two, but when those bad apples are discovered, they need to be discarded as…” quote by Ron Stallworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/220/ron-stallworth-11243_apple_we-had-a-cop-or-two-that-were-questionab_2910121.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/220/ron-stallworth-11243_apple_we-had-a-cop-or-two-that-were-questionab_2910121.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/220/ron-stallworth-11243_apple_we-had-a-cop-or-two-that-were-questionab_2910121.jpg) > “We had a cop or two that were questionable, and probably they shouldn't have been on the job, but they were. You have that: a police department reflects the community that it serves, and it's going to have a bad apple or two, but when those bad apples are discovered, they need to be discarded as quickly as possible so the whole bureau doesn't rot.” [Ron Stallworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-stallworth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It argues that police departments mirror their communities, containing both good and bad members, and that removing corrupt officers is essential. **In simple terms:** Police reflect the community; bad officers must be removed quickly. Key Takeaway Ensure accountability in law enforcement. Themes justice community accountability Mood concerned determined Type policy social commentary When to use this quote - police reform - community outreach - leadership training Key Concepts systemic bias organizational culture Questions to Reflect On - How can we address systemic problems beyond individual removal? - What role does community play in shaping police behavior? A Different Perspective Removing individuals may not fix deeper systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Apple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apple/) [Bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad/) [Bad apple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-apple/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Cop Questionable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cop-questionable-4186728/) [Department Reflects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/department-reflects-4186731/) [Job Police](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job-police-4186729/) [Police](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/police/) [Police department](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/police-department/) [Possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possible/) [Possible Bureau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possible-bureau-4186730/) ## Related quotes > [I completely respect the job our police do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-walker/i-completely-respect-the-job-our-police-do/) [Nicola Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-walker/) > [It's a thankless job for police officers, period, but specifically for men and women of color protecting and serving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-david-washington/it-s-a-thankless-job-for-police-officers-period-but-specifically-for/) [John David Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-david-washington/) > [“One bad apple doesn't necessarily spoil the bunch,but it might make you consider oranges”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prentiss-upmost-harris/one-bad-apple-doesn-t-necessarily-spoil-the-bunch-but-it-might-make/) [Prentiss Upmost Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prentiss-upmost-harris/) > [“The undulating terrain was cloaked in lush abundance, the vineyards like garlands of deep green and yellow, orchards and farms sprouting here and there,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-wiggs/the-undulating-terrain-was-cloaked-in-lush-abundance-the-vineyards/) [Susan Wiggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-wiggs/) > [From activism to socialising to starting new bands, 99% of everything that happens on MySpace is fun and positive. 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It is not "just a few bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-bogle/without-getting-into-brothels-there-are-ethical-capitalists-the/) [John C. Bogle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-bogle/) ## More by Ron Stallworth > [The KKK members that I was dealing with never saw me because my interaction with them occurred over the phone. They were convinced that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-stallworth/the-kkk-members-that-i-was-dealing-with-never-saw-me-because-my/) [Ron Stallworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-stallworth/) > [If one black man aided by a bevy of good, decent, dedicated, and open liberal-minded whites and Jews can succeed in prevailing over a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-stallworth/if-one-black-man-aided-by-a-bevy-of-good-decent-dedicated-and-open/) [Ron Stallworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-stallworth/) > [Personally, I never had any negative encounters with the law growing up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-stallworth/personally-i-never-had-any-negative-encounters-with-the-law-growing-up/) [Ron Stallworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-stallworth/) > [I phoned the KKK Grand Wizard David Duke in Louisiana and asked why my membership was being delayed. 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