Kenneth Logan PsyD

Psychologist | Professor of Clinical Psychology | Moral Injury & Trauma Clinician/Researcher | Author of “Trust Wounds”

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𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗽𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁: A Real Life Account of Systemic Betrayal

One of the things I continue to observe in moral injury work is that we are not only harmed by moral events themselves.

We can also be significantly undone by what happens systemically afterward.

-The silence.

-The distancing.

-Others’ reinterpretation of reality.

-The collapse of trust.

-The feeling that identity, purpose, and belonging are slowly unraveling inside systems that were once believed to be safe.

I recently read a manuscript by a veteran law enforcement officer that captured this experience with unusual honesty.

See: https://lnkd.in/gUpgevqs

What struck me most about Arthur's story of institutional betrayal was not just his story, but the description of his lived experience. The effects of:

-Administrative leave

-Institutional uncertainty

-Social isolation

-Identity narrowing

-Hypervigilance

-Loss of vocational meaning

-And the organized, procedural nature of suicidal thinking that law enforcement officers have when they feel morally and relationally abandoned.

The moral injury of betrayal, an other-directed form of moral harm, is fundamentally a violation of relationship and trust. Self-directed moral harm, such as commission and omission, often receives the most attention. But some of the least acknowledged forms of moral injury are other-directed.

Betrayal involves invalidation, moral disorientation, and a collapse of trust in the people, institutions, or systems that were supposed to provide coherence, protection, and meaning. What makes these experiences so psychologically destabilizing is that they attack our identity, belonging, ability to trust, and our sense of reality itself.

Survivors of betrayal regularly say:

“This is unbelievable”

“I don't know what is true”

“I can't trust myself”

“People aren't there for me"

“Maybe I am not worthy of belonging”

These are moral and existential questions of broken identity and trust.

Betrayal survivors do benefit from stabilization. More importantly, they need moral repair, trustworthy relationships, meaning reconstruction, calibrated responsibility, and the restoration of human dignity and coherence.

Many people suffering this way can look functional externally.

-They continue working.

-They remain composed.

-They stay procedural.

But internally, their world narrows in strikingly painful ways.

Recovery can begin with something very simple:

-An honest conversation

-A person who remains present

-A person who can comprehend and reflect the betrayal experience

-A relationship that does not collapse under the weight of reactivity, shame, or uncertainty

Moral injury always grows in isolation. Healing can begin with a trustworthy presence.

Thanks for sharing your story, Arthur...

 

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From David Berez of SIX 4 Consultants

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“This story is a powerful and unflinching account of what happens when an officer’s identity, integrity, and livelihood are put on trial. Arthur Myers takes readers beyond the incident itself and into the far more dangerous terrain of isolation, narrative drift, and moral injury. This is not just a memoir—it’s a case study in moral injury, identity collapse, and survival within policing culture. His work provides critical insight into the hidden psychological battles officers face and the resilience required to endure them. A must-read for anyone committed to the well-being and leadership of those who serve.”  David Berez, Positive Psychology for Law Enforcement Expert and author of “A Resilient Life: A Cops Journey in Pursuit of Purpose."

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From Jim McNeff, Retired Editor of LawOfficer.com

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I became aware of this story as I reported it in real time for LawOfficer.com. During the reporting I intuitively believed—as a retired LEO—that impacted personnel at the Charleston Police Department (CPD) were getting a raw deal by a cowardly command staff that was ultimately willing to sacrifice an officer and a lieutenant in order to appease potential critics.

This incident unfolded in Charleston, South Carolina, as the country became intoxicated with the custodial death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As a result, CPD took shameful steps in what initially appeared to be acts of self-righteous behavior.

Now that I’ve read "Tattered, When the Blue Line Frays," I’ve learned that it was as bad as I originally feared. The department created a false narrative in order to label actions as misconduct. Worse yet, the administration stuck to its guns despite being shown the error of their way. I believe the actions were not only unjust, but could be categorized as wicked when you consider the personal devastation that unnecessarily occurred.

Sadly, the institution of law enforcement has far too many department heads across the nation who are willing to fillet and sacrifice good, honest, hard-working individuals on the altar of appeasement. This is one of those stories.

Arthur Myers III does a fabulous job describing the incident in question, along with the subsequent legal process that unfolded. He does so in an unvarnished manner, which covers some dark thoughts of despair as well as his termination.

If the story ended there, it would be a shame, but it does not. Myers’ journey is one of legal and personal perseverance, a road that eventually brought him to the place where he maintained his police certification following a ruling by the state Law Enforcement Training Council (LETC), and later his hiring at two subsequent police organizations that are led by men of courage.

Furthermore, Myers has an impactful story of redemption. It is filled with his fabulously articulated doctrine of leadership as well as a heaping dose of wisdom that cannot be obtained any other way.

I strongly commend this book to anyone in a position of leadership, any and all law enforcement personnel, despite your rank, and skeptics who think there is a “code of silence” in modern day police work. The “code” as many presume to be present is outdated, and sadly, the opposite—as demonstrated in this book—all too frequently takes place.

Lastly, I encourage anyone who is depressed and at wits end to read this book. You are not alone. There is hope and others care. Just ask Arthur Myers III.

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From Sgt James Comfort

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Tattered is not an easy book to read—and that’s exactly why it matters.

From the opening pages, Myers establishes that this is a deeply personal, first-hand account of a law enforcement officer caught in the collision between reality, perception, and institutional response. He’s upfront about the limitations of memory and perspective, framing the narrative as “one understanding of events” rather than absolute truth . That honesty gives the book credibility right out of the gate.

The book’s greatest strength is its raw authenticity. Myers writes like a cop thinks—methodical, detail-oriented, and grounded in procedure. The incident itself is described with clinical precision, then contrasted with the emotional fallout that follows. That duality—report vs. reality—becomes the backbone of the entire story.

Where the book really hits is in its portrayal of “narrative drift.” You watch, almost in slow motion, as a short, chaotic use-of-force encounter transforms into something much larger through interpretation, optics, and internal politics. Myers doesn’t rely on dramatic exaggeration; instead, he shows how small shifts in language and emphasis can reshape a career.

The mental health component is another standout. The sections describing administrative leave, isolation, and the gradual slide into structured coping (like the daily drinking ritual) are some of the most powerful in the book. His breakdown of suicidal thinking—especially the idea that the most dangerous mindset is calm, organized, and rational—is chilling and likely resonates strongly with anyone in high-stress professions.

There’s also a strong undercurrent of leadership philosophy. Myers repeatedly contrasts what he taught—accountability, transparency, procedural justice—with what he experienced. That tension gives the book a moral weight beyond just a personal story.

Tattered is less about a single incident and more about what happens after—when systems, narratives, and identity begin to unravel. It’s a story about professional survival, institutional trust, and the psychological toll of being accused in a career built on credibility.

This book will hit hardest for:

* Law enforcement professionals
* First responders
* Anyone who has faced institutional investigation or public scrutiny

But even outside those circles, it offers a sobering look at how quickly truth, perception, and outcome can diverge.

Tattered is a compelling, often uncomfortable read that trades polish for honesty. It doesn’t try to entertain—it tries to document, explain, and warn.

Rating: 5/5
A powerful insider account that shines brightest in its psychological depth and real-world insight.

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From Sherri Martin, FOP National Wellness Representative

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As a retired law enforcement officer and director of a national wellness program for law enforcement, this book is a tremendous resource. It is honest and raw and fills a gap that no other resource ever has in explaining the impact that agencies and politics can have on an individual. This is a must read for not only police leaders but for rank and file officers, and law enforcement family members. It should be required reading for police review panels.
This book will undoubtedly save lives as it sheds light on a subject rarely discussed but monumentally important.

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From Ray Wright

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Highly recommended for law enforcement officer's past and present. I know the author personally as well as those he named in his story. This is a must read for law enforcement officers still on the job and to those that are long retired. The subject matter was very insightful and accurate. Good job Rusty!

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Retired Training Officer Jason Dandridge

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Who should read this book? Anyone in leadership positions of LEO work. Anyone who's assigned to Internal Affairs in LEO work. Anyone who has a part in making decisions that could take away an officers certification. Any officer who's struggling internally and doesn't want to talk about it. Those are the must.
Rusty opens himself up for everyone to see very private things. It's not a brag. It's to help others.

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A Satisfied Customer from Amazon

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This is the true story of one man's fight to clear his name when he was unjustly accused of wrongdoing on the job. Additionally, it is the story of his personal struggle to try to understand how his life was suddenly upended and to figure out how to move forward with his integrity intact. I have much respect for the author for keeping his faith, persevering under pressure, and being bold enough to share his story.
Exonerated! Justly so!

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More reviews can be found on Amazon.com.  If you read Tattered, I'd appreciate an Amazon Review.  It helps others find it.

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If you are a cop and facing struggles, I will send you a pdf of tattered.  I know what it means when no paycheck is coming in.  when its pop tarts for breakfast and hotdogs for lunch.  This book is not about money.  It is about saving lives.  If you need to know the sun rises tomorrow, I need you to stay in the fight.  Email me at Tatteredreaders@gmail.com.  

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