they all look after their own

[Anoukmac]

Hello,

a young guy who's been arrested says to his cousin: You know what the cops are like. They all look after their own.

I'm not sure if he means that cops always defend other cops or that cops defend their own person.

What do you think?

My try: Tu connais les flics. Ils se protègent entre eux / Ils pensent d'abord à eux.

Thanks for your help

 

[Uncle Bob]

It's the former.

For the latter, I don't think "own", alone, could be used that way, one would have to add what is being looked after e.g.

a policeman looks after his own safety,
a miser looks after his own pocket.

 

[Anoukmac]

It's the former.

For the latter, I don't think "own", alone, could be used that way, one would have to add what is being looked after e.g.

a policeman looks after his own safety,
a miser looks after his own pocket.

OK, great! Thanks, Uncle Bob!
So Ils se protègent les uns les autres or something like that.

 

[Ellea1]

Ils protegent ceux qui sont des leurs ? (something like that)

 

[moustic]

... ils se serrent les coudes ...

 

[Anoukmac]

... ils se serrent les coudes ...

Bien vu ! Merci !

 

[Mauricet]

their own :

ceux qui sont des leurs

ou plus simplement les leurs. "Tous, ils défendent les leurs".