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Posted by: Gil

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE USE BY SWORN LAW OFFICERS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Whereas, the misuse of language of a racial, gender, ethnic, origin or religion nature has frequently led to violent confrontations; and
Whereas, citizens have a God-given inalienable right not to be insulted by public servants whose compensation is provided by tax;
Therefore, regardless to any act to the contrary, this act shall make it unlawful and a violation of oath-of-office for any sworn law officers, i.e., police officers, state police, correctional officers, court officers, environment police, sheriff deputies, or any other sworn law officer to use or engage in the use thereof, during, or in the line of or course of duty language which cast a negative reflection toward an individual’s race, color, ethnic origin, religion, economic status nor any other category of negative stereotyping.

SECTION 2. No racial slurs, name-callings, nor profanity used directed toward another individual shall be used in the course of, during or in the line of duty, and any such use of the same shall constitute a breach of the officer’s sworn oath and shall constitute grounds for dismissal from further duties as a law officer.

http://www.state.ma.us/legis/bills/house/ht01555.htm

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Posted by: PearlOnyx

I can see half the police officers in the state getting fired right now...ugh, sometimes I think we need to remind people that we don't need a law for everything.

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Posted by: mpd61

Oh my GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I must amend my favorite exclamation to be non offensive................

How about "Feathered feces flicker"

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Posted by: CampusOfficer

Give me a break. Are you SHITTIN ME??? Oops I can see about speaking negatively about someone's race, ethnic background, etc. but profanity in general??

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Posted by: Gil

Quote:

Whereas, citizens have a God-given inalienable right not to be insulted by public servants whose compensation is provided by tax

Most of the folks that I might happen to loose my cool with don't pay tax anyway and many of them are the recipients of state or federal subsidies. They should be excluded from the bill

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Posted by: Sgt Jack

I've said before and I'll say it again...WHERE THE F@CK DO THESE PEOPLE COME FROM!!!!!!!!...And I'm sure it's their God given right to use explatives at us though...Seriously though I try to use Sir and Ma'm and be as profesional as possible but to try and pass a law...I think we've gone a little too far with the PC..Ultra sensitvity nonsense

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Posted by: Southside

How in thee hell can this be proved? You mean to tell me that every scumbag who comes into lockup is not gonna be saying "hey, the officer said a bad word to me", and then we can be dismissed from our duties. Excuse me for this but, our President was caught on tape saying that a certain someone is an asshole, should we impeach him.....he is the commander-in-chief. What's next, cotton handcuffs?, room service at lock up?, better yet....how about we tuck a mint under their pillows before they nap? I understand individual rights but if people want to complain that they don't like officers swearing at them, then STAY THE %&#@ OUT OF TROUBLE AND DO WHAT THE OFFICER ASKS.

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Posted by:

Well, that dont cover me so I can continue to swear my ass off.

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Posted by: mpc111

Who's gonna enforce this one.... the PC Police. Is Flynn trying to create another agency with this legislation?

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Posted by: Irishpride

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpc111 Is Flynn trying to create another agency with this legislation?

Flynn isn't behind this one. Rep. Benjamin Swan (D-springfield) is. Maybe a few people will take an active step and drop Rep. Swan an e-mail at Rep.BenjaminSwan@hou.state.ma.us or Rep.Swan@verizon.com or give his office a call at 617-722-2692, since I profoundly doubt Rep. Swan will read our opinions posted on the board.

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Posted by: mpc111

Irishpride,
I was just being a sarcastic wise-ass. Hopefully, my language isn't too offensive for the PC Posse. -Stay Safe

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Posted by: Officer Dunngeon

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpc111 Irishpride, I was just being a sarcastic wise-ass. Hopefully, my language isn't too offensive for the PC Posse. -Stay Safe

Your language is offensive to me. Please refrain from using the above vulgar term. The following substitutions are acceptable:

wise-buttocks
wise-bottom
wise-behind
wise-butt
wise-bumbum (or wise-bum)
wise-fanny
wise-gluteus maximus (or wise-glutes)
and wise-cheeks

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Posted by: PATS246

Why don't they have a law that people can't swear or be a rude jerk to a police officer. How about some people having respect for police officers, and how about making a law for that if some liberal wants to "wash our mouths out with soap" How about if you swear in front of a PO you get arrested. What's fair is fair, right???? What a bunch of a holes.

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Posted by: ryan933

Trying to pass a law to stop cops from using bad language is ridiculous!

HOWEVER, the public perception of policing as true "profession" would be greatly advanced if some officers out there would learn how to conduct themselves like a "professional."

Courtesy of Webster:
Main Entry: pro·fes·sion·al
Function: adjective
Date: circa 1748
1 a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession b : engaged in one of the learned professions c (1) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2) : exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace


To my point, explain to me how lowering yourself to the level of the person with whom your dealing (by using profanity) makes you more effective on the job? To do so simply shows a lack of self control and professionalism.

Example:
Not long ago I was in the financial district of Boston. I was waiting with about 50 other people to cross the street. There was a BPD Sergeant doing traffic and telling us when to cross etc. People do what they always do and pay little mind to the BPD Sergeant and start to cross without his permission. The Sergeant explodes into a profanity laden rant! He then proceeded to let everyone cross. You should have seen the faces of the people crossing the street after his little tantrum! Do you think his conduct improved the public perception of the BPD? As I crossed the street I stopped and told this Sergeant that I had never seen such a complete lack of professionalism, especially coming from an officer of his rank. He stared blankly back at me and said nothing.....because he knew I was right.

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Posted by: Burner1

This would probably never pass Constitutional muster anyway. The Legislature can only pass laws that give a person "added" protections, not take them away. A P.O. is protected, at least last I checked, under the same Constitution everyone else is.

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Posted by: Wolfman

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan933 To my point, explain to me how lowering yourself to the level of the person with whom your dealing (by using profanity) makes you more effective on the job? To do so simply shows a lack of self control and professionalism.

Used properly, profanity can be an asset to performing your duties. There are not a whole lot of sitations where this happens, however, in a situation where it is necessary for a single officer to effect and maintain control over a potentially hazardous cascade of events, profanity can provide a jolt to a suspect or suspects which can establish an officer's control over a situation. Example:

"Sir, please refrain from making any sudden movements, especially towards the butt of that weapon I see in your waistband as it poses a threat to my, and consequently your, personal safety. Thank you ever so much for your cooperation in this matter."

"DON'T MOVE A FVCKING MUSCLE, MOTHERFVCKER, OR I'LL BLOW A HOLE IN YOUR SQUASH BIG ENOUGH TO WATCH TV THROUGH!!!"

Like I said, not too often, but the latter choice of words may be more appropriate given certain circumstances we may face.

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Posted by: Berkshire Cop

Also, the people that we generally deal with (on a regular basis) are not Rhode Scholars. Some only know, respect, and understand, the language of the street.

Just out of curiosity, Massachusetts has solved our ever growing debt problems that our elected officials can spend time and energy on much needed bills/laws like this?

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Posted by: Killjoy

Absolutely, Berkshirecop and Masstrooper; most of the people we have the pleasure of dealing with are not exactly geniuses. Yelling "GET THE FUCK DOWN!" or "DROP THE FUCKING KNIFE!" to some dirtbag often gets the point across quicker and easier than some washed-out PC version that might cause the clown to hesitate. In this sense it is better for the suspect and might cause him less chance of injury or death than limiting what officers can say. Besides I think the constitution still applies to us.....today anyways.

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Posted by: ryan933

Ok, I can see where in a dangerous or high stress situation, the use of strong\profane language may serve to reinforce your commands. Is the use of profanity to aid in controlling a suspect taught in the MSP academy?

My comments were directed more at officers who somehow find it appropriate to use profanity during the course of a normal MV stop, or other low risk\stress encounter.

Ryan

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Posted by: Wolfman

Like I said, it's the judicial use of profanity that makes it a useful tool. Remember as well, that the vernacular tends to follow a person from their origins - if someone is raised in an environment with promiscuous profanity, this type of lingo will be part of their character.

"Do they teach you that at the academy" OH PULEEEZEEE! For Pete's sake, Ryan, your profile says you're trying to get into the 78th RTT...why are you spouting off here in judgement of veteran officers like some sort of defense attorney??? Are you SURE this is what you want to do? There are a LOT of bad people out there, and the only one who gives a rat's ass about your survival is you and your fellow officers - something you need to keep in mind.

Also, EVERY MV stop is a high risk encounter, and don't you ever forget it - you drop your guard for a minute and you will be paved.

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Posted by: ryan933

MT1,

I apparently did not phrase my question correctly. I was not trying to be sarcastic or in any way question seasoned officers like yourself, and certainly not to pass judgment. You convinced me of the usefulness of strong language in certain situations. As such, I was merely curious if this was a tactic taught for the purpose of confrontation management. I suppose it was a stupid question. This seems to be the type of thing one would learn in the field rather than the classroom, but my question was genuine in nature. No offense was intended. I apologize if it appeared otherwise.

Yes, I will do whatever I can to be part of the 78th RTT. I have no doubts about my direction.

Ryan

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Posted by: dimen24

GAWD

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Posted by: Wolfman

OK, Ryan, just wanted to give you a heads up there. One thing to remember is that it's usually easier not to say something and wish you had than to say the wrong thing and wish you hadn't. Explanations and backpedaling invariably result in a loss of credibility, and credibility is one vital and nonrenewable trait that is necessary in this field. If you make it into the RTT (and for anyone else who has RTT plans in the future) keep these words in mind.

As far as the whole absurd notion of passing legislation to dictate the "color" of our speech, there are plenty of checks and balances in place already should a civilian feel they have been subjected to verbal, gender, race, etc. harrassment. There are complaint processes, civil rights legislation, IA investigations, and so on.

You get a couple politicians who strut around with this sort of groundbreaking legislation from time to time, this way they can go back to their constituents and say, "Look what I tried to do..." and play the hero. That's fine, it's part of their job. Those who care and those who vote can see it for what it is. I mean, a cat will get all fluffed up when perceives a fight, hissing and growling and looking larger than life, but dump a bucket of water on it and it will scurry away all scrawny and thin because that's all there is under the fluff.

I for one still subscribe to the philosophy of "that Government is best which governs least."

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Posted by: Killjoy

Ryan, there is big difference between Hotel New Braintree and the real world. The DI's and instructors often told us that the Academy was the safest place you'll ever work, and its true. The first thing my Trooper Coach told me was to drop the senseless "Verbal Judo" that was taught to us at the academy. Obviously, you don't stand around and yell profanities at every person you stop; but you often have to use harsh language to get the point across. EXAMPLE : I stop a car down on Main St. at 0200hrs. While talking to the driver the passenger attempts to get out of the car. I say: "Sit the fuck down!" Is he : A. Getting out of the car to stretch his legs, B. Trying to dump some drugs, C. Trying flee because he has warrants, D. Trying to get his pistol out to kill you? I don't know....but in 4 words I told him the seriousness of the situation without getting into a prolonged debate that could distract you from the driver or the passenger in the back seat. More likely than not, he will take my tone and use of profanity as a warning about how dangerous the situation is to both himself and me, and sit down. If not, you know that something is seriously wrong with said passenger. Its a jungle out there and there is world of difference between the street and a nice safe classroom; never forget that. Oh, and Swan, (the sponsor of the bill) is known for his frequent anti-police views. Be careful who you support.

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Posted by: DFP2662

I wouldn't worry too much about this. Like one of the other posters said this would never pass muster under the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights. I mean, they actually backed a cop over that freak that keeps illegally recording traffic stops and then complaining when the police seize the recordings and hit him with the felony charge. The SJC decided that we DON'T forfeit our rights when we pin on the shield. (In theory, at least...)

I once heard (don't know if it's true or not) that the reps HAVE to file any bill that is requested by one of their constituents. They then do so, knowing that the truly foolish ones will die in committee and never see the light of day. What is more concerning is that Swan actually found two co-sponsors who thought this was a neat idea. Firing a cop for bad language? Jeez, next they'll want to torture us for a use of force...

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Posted by: ryan933

MT1, KillJoy,

.....once again, thanks for the education!

Ryan

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Posted by: DC813

Hats off to the Troopers that posted in response. You are all absolutely right that profanity coupled with tone absolutely leads to a stronger command presence that is understood by ALL. All police officers are usually outnumbered at each and every call we attempt to control, and that presence is usually the only thing that allows us to keep things under control, short of drawing a weapon. Most police officers know when and where to turn up the heat when dealing with different citizens, it's the ones that treat 70 yr old women like >50 ADULT ARRAIGNMENT shitbirds that incite this type of ludicrous anti-police legislation.

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