Thanks for your response, Larry.  I'll hazard a guess that since you've been where you were and seen what you have, in a case when there's egregious miscarriage of justice by a cop that could result in criminal charges, you'll find it difficult to honestly deny that cops on the ground will cover for their guilty coworker, even if it means lying and tampering with evidence if that's what it takes to get the job done.  And they know how to do this far better than the comparatively amateur criminals that don't memorize departmental evidence procedurals--still less members of the public.

Therefore I hope you'll understand that, while I don't doubt your word nor would dream of questioning your integrity, when it comes to a bunch of cops all claiming 'he had a gun', I remain EXTREMELY skeptical.  Been around the block a time or two myself, Sir.  I've seen cops perjure themselves on the witness stand, and know from experience they'll suppress unfavorable evidence during an 'investigation'.