HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 488        FILED ON: 1/11/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2196

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Benjamin Swan

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to prohibit inappropriate language use by sworn law officers..

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Benjamin Swan

11th Hampden

1/11/2013

Gloria L. Fox

7th Suffolk

1/25/2013

Paul R. Heroux

2nd Bristol

 


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 488        FILED ON: 1/11/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2196

By Mr. Swan of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2196) of Benjamin Swan, Gloria L. Fox and Paul R. Heroux for legislation to prohibit the use of inappropriate language by public safety officers in the Commonwealth.  Public Safety and Homeland Security.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1576 OF 2011-2012.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

_______________

 

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.