Bill Introduced to Fire Police Officers for Swearing and Using Racial Slurs

A bill at the Massachusetts State House would “prohibit inappropriate language use by sworn law officers.”

Posted by Les Masterson

If a bill is approved by the legislature, police officers who swear could be disciplined and might actually lose their jobs.
The legislation “An Act to prohibit inappropriate language use by sworn law officers” is sponsored by Benjamin Swan (D-Springfield) and is co-sponsored by Gloria L. Fox (D-Boston) and Paul R. Heroux (D-Attleboro).

In addition to profanity, the legislation would prohibit language “of a racial, gender, ethnic, origin or religion nature” and “racial slurs” and “name-calling.”

“These folks, they’re public servants. It’s unprofessional and beneath the dignity of any public servant to use that language toward the people they’re representing,” Heroux told the Boston Herald.

Here is the legislation, which has been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security:

"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."