Breaking the 11th Commandment: The Crusade to End the "Bully with a Badge"

Staff Writer February 09, 2026

​MONTGOMERY, AL — In the world of law enforcement, there is an unspoken rule often referred to as the "11th Commandment": Do not prosecute the "bad apples"—instead, cover for them and defend them at all costs.

​For Stacy George, a former correctional officer with over 13 years of experience in Alabama’s most notorious prisons, that commandment is a death sentence for true justice. Three years after appearing in the documentary The Alabama Solution, George is breaking his silence again, driven by a conviction that the culture of blind support for law enforcement must evolve into a culture of accountability.

​The Anatomy of a "Bad Apple"

​The "bad apple" defense is often used to minimize systemic issues, but George argues that the phrase is being used incorrectly. "One bully—one bad apple—can cause a whole town to be burned down to the ground if not prosecuted properly," he warns.

​The issue, according to George, is not just the presence of bullies within the ranks, but the institutional shield that protects them. Whether behind the high fences of Limestone and St. Clair prisons or on the public streets of Alabama, the "bully with a badge" represents a fundamental betrayal of the biblical and civic principles of justice.

​The "Mayberry" Method in Maximum Security

​George’s stance is not one of an outsider, but of a veteran who has walked the hardest beats in the state. As an APOSTC-certified officer, he was equipped with a .40 caliber Glock and a 12-gauge shotgun. Yet, in 13 ½ years of service, he never once discharged a weapon, used a baton, or even deployed chemical spray.

​He calls it the "Andy Griffith" approach—using communication as the primary tool for de-escalation. By proving that order can be maintained in maximum-security environments through dialogue rather than force, George effectively dismantles the argument that "bully" tactics are a necessary part of the job.

​A Legislative Turning Point

​The timing of this push for reform is critical. Next week, George heads to Montgomery to advocate for a new bill specifically designed to address and remove bullies from the ranks of law enforcement.

​The mission faces an uphill battle. In an election year, politicians are often hesitant to touch legislation that could be framed as "anti-police." However, George argues that true support for law enforcement means rooting out those who tarnish the badge. He has signaled that he is ready to face the heat, offering to sit for interviews and answer the tough questions that many in the system avoid.

​"I will not say 'no comment,'" George says. For him, the time for silence has officially ended.