By Mr. Swan of Springfield, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2384) of Benjamin Swan and others for legislation to prohibit the use of inappropriate language by public safety officers in the Commonwealth.  Public Safety and Homeland Security.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

——————

PETITION OF:

Benjamin Swan

Gloria L. Fox

Willie Mae Allen

William Lantigua

Christine E. Canavan

——————

In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

——————

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.