CURSING COPS: MASS. LAWMAKERS MULL FIRING PROFANE POLICE OFFICERS
Mr. Walters will provide legal commentary today on Fox 35 Orlando, myfoxorlando.com, regarding a proposal to criminalized swearing by police officers: What’s the bad word – you know, the one that could get a police officer fired? The Massachusetts legislature is considering a bill that would punish cops who swear or use racial slurs in dealing with the public, and which could even cost them their jobs. According to CBS Boston, the measure states members of the public have a right not to be insulted by public servants being paid with their tax dollars. State Representative Benjamin Swan, who is a co-sponsor of the measure, of a bill that would make it a crime for a sworn officer to use inappropriate language. “From my bedroom window, I see police officers pull over a motorist using inappropriate language,” state Representative Representative Benjamin Swan, a co-sponsor of the measure, told WBZ NewsRadio 1030. “I asked men in the bar whether or not they had ever witnessed an inappropriate use of language (by police), every person there said yes,” Swan said. Co-sponsor Paul Heroux, a Democrat, tells the Boston Herald it’s unprofessional and “beneath the dignity” of officers to use bad language toward the people they represent. Less impressed with the legislation is Wayne Sampson, executive director of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, who calls it “radical” and too broadly written. Everett, Mass. Police Chief Steve Mazzie says he’s concerned that exemplary officers could be fired over one bad word.