There’s an old adage in police work: You lie, you die.

When you wear the badge, your word is everything. And rightfully so — law enforcement officers have the power to place someone under arrest and ultimately deprive them of their liberty, considering how their account of events often carries more weight in the eyes of a jury.

The discovery of blatant lies often ends with officers kicked off the force. But what about less serious acts of dishonesty? Or a miscommunication that could be seen as either a mistake or an act of deceit, depending on whom you believe?

Such questions swirl around a list of a dozen officers maintained by the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. It serves as a roster of officers whose testimony in court could be brought into question because of something they’ve done in the past.

It’s called a “Brady List” and the controversy around it has heightened in recent years as guidelines for maintaining the information have expanded.

Officers say that inappropriately placing someone on the list unjustly tarnishes reputations, while defense attorneys say the procedure for maintaining the list involves too much secrecy. The prosecuting attorney, legally charged with maintaining the list, argues that changing the system could have devastating effects on a case and those involved.