Do you believe police should swear at civilians?

Sniper Ash6 · 22-10-2009, 9:33 PM

Was just watching road wars on sky three and you see in any police program that you can be nicked after a warning about using bad language to police
but what about when police use it when telling you to do something?

The example in road wars was instead of shouting "get on the floor" the policeman added a swear word to the order

Do you agree (whether they are guilty or not)?

I myself dont swear and dont expect anyone to swear at me - part of the do unto others etc

Switch625 · 22-10-2009, 9:48 PM

I don't think they do it on purpose, probably just get frustrated and worked up easily!

On a similar note, is it my imagination or did the police used to address members of the public as "Sir" etc, whereas now it's all "Mate".

CDR · 22-10-2009, 9:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switch625

I don't think they do it on purpose, probably just get frustrated and worked up easily!

And members of the public get equally frustrated and get arrested for it!

Jay · 22-10-2009, 9:54 PM

NAh I don't think they should be able to.

But some people abuse their power.

grantsteve · 22-10-2009, 10:09 PM

Surely swearing is just an extension of reasonable force. It doesn't need to be physical. A carefully placed barrage of swearing and shouting could be just the ticket to get someone to comply.

Sniper Ash6 · 22-10-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grantsteve

Surely swearing is just an extension of reasonable force. It doesn't need to be physical. A carefully placed barrage of swearing and shouting could be just the ticket to get someone to comply.

So someone swearing in reply counts as opposing force?

lord-dudester · 22-10-2009, 10:14 PM

i would never swear at a policeman and would expect never to be sworn at by one

grantsteve · 22-10-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniper Ash6

So someone swearing in reply counts as opposing force?

Perhaps. The point I am making is that the Police are allowed to use reasonable force when arresting someone or stopping and searching them, but they must give people the opportunity to comply. Reasonable force could, in my opinion, include restraining them (i.e. physical) or shouting and swearing at them (i.e. verbal).

Sniper Ash6 · 22-10-2009, 10:20 PM

Thats my stance on this

But then again i wouldnt be in a car trying to escape from the police or run from them, they shouldnt use that sort of language regardless IMO

but then again i dont swear at all

Sniper Ash6 · 22-10-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grantsteve

Perhaps. The point I am making is that the Police are allowed to use reasonable force when arresting someone or stopping and searching them, but they must give people the opportunity to comply. Reasonable force could, in my opinion, include restraining them (i.e. physical) or shouting and swearing at them (i.e. verbal).

I wouldnt call swearing at anyone reasonable

grantsteve · 22-10-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniper Ash6

I wouldnt call swearing at anyone reasonable

Even if he / she was failing to comply with a request from a Police Officer who's next option would be to use captor spray or draw their baton?

Sniper Ash6 · 22-10-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grantsteve

Even if he / she was failing to comply with a request from a Police Officer who's next option would be to use captor spray or draw their baton?

If someone is intent on not complying then i doubt an extra word in the sentence will help

Swear words overall have lost their "power" due to overuse in some cases

grantsteve · 22-10-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniper Ash6

If someone is intent on not complying then i doubt an extra word in the sentence will help

Swear words overall have lost their "power" due to overuse in some cases

I agree but I'd rather try it as a first option.

Sonic67 · 22-10-2009, 10:48 PM

I think it's a combination of two things.

The way some people use swear words so much these days. If you are with others who swear a lot you can use it without thinking. Second is stress. If you are in a stressfull situation language takes a back seat. Put the two together and it will happen.

I've recently spent six months where swearing was fairly normal, and on Sunday I was at a friends house as it was his kids fifth birthday. Someone asked me something and I started chatting and nearly ran away with myself, I then suddenly realised I'd need to speak slower and watch my language.

branny · 22-10-2009, 10:50 PM

I think it's inevitable in some situations

I have quite flowery language anyway so if I was a copper in an adverse situation I'd imagine if I was having to deal with a naughty person my speech would be:

'Get on the ****ing floor you ****. Do it ****ing now before I bend you up and shove these ****ing cuffs up your ****ing ********. And you, you, you nosey ****, get that ****ing camera out of my ****ing face. You have the right to remain silent etc'

I had to preview the above just in case.

Orson · 22-10-2009, 10:52 PM

I live in a town where the entire borough is a designated 'open space', and as such drinking alcohol is banned in all public outdoor spaces - streets, parks etc.

The travelling funfair is in in my town at the moment, and while wandering through the busy crowds last night, there was a large gap at one point, because a group of about 30 young lads (and a couple of girls) were standing around drinking lager, effing & blinding, etc, and generally being obnoxious & very intimidating to the majority of passers by, who were mainly families, this being 7pm.

To be fair, before too long, several (6 to 8) police officers arrived on the scene, some proper ones and some CSO's, and while my kids were on a nearby ride, I sauntered that way for a nosey.

The police were being very polite and professional, reminding the youths that they shouldn't be drinking outdoors, and that most of them didn't even look old enough. The response from the youths was jeering, laughing & several more swear words. At this point the police decided it was time to wander off & leave the youths to it.

Very shortly afterwards, 2 'security' men from the fairground travelling community arrived on the scene, and informed the youths very directly that if they didn't "** put their ** cans on the ** floor and ** off" that they (security) would "** take the ** cans off the ** little **".
There was one dissenting murmur from the back of the group, which was met with a response from lead security man that I'm not even sure was English, but I'm positive would need asterixes on here. Needless to say, cans were put on the floor, and the youths sulkily wandered off.

My point being that sometimes you fight fire with fire, and an equal response is sometimes okay. I suspect that the folks on here who don't think it's right for a policeman to swear would never dream of swearing at a policeman, and would be unlikely to find themselves in a position to be on the receiving end.
If I got pulled over, stopped etc, I wouldn't expect a policeman to swear at me, but I wouldn't swear at him either. But in the situation I described above, perhaps the youths would have paid more attention?

And sorry for rambling, but I'm sat here with just my PC & beer fridge for company

Sonic67 · 22-10-2009, 11:19 PM

If the guy is an armed cop and facing an armed criminal can he shout 'freeze mother****er'.

eric pisch · 22-10-2009, 11:23 PM

The last policeman who stopped me for going a touch over the limit flew out of the car F'ing and C'ing at me, I thought I was in for a hiding, only calmed down when his mate told him to knock it down a gear or two.

eric pisch · 22-10-2009, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonic67

If the guy is an armed cop and facing an armed criminal can he shout 'freeze mother****er'.

uhh

next they would all be dropping arnie lines

"If It Bleeds, We Can Kill It"

Wild Weasel · 22-10-2009, 11:31 PM

I think they have to swear at some people to be understood. The average chav wouldn't be able to follow a sentence unless it's punctuated by expletives anyway.

Jay · 22-10-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric pisch

uhh

next they would all be dropping arnie lines

"If It Bleeds, We Can Kill It"

That reminds me of something a very wise man once said about women.

" I don't trust women, anything that bleeds for seven days and doesn't die is a threat "

Edit: I can see how the above may cause offense, none was meant.

eric pisch · 22-10-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indecisive Jay

That reminds me of something a very wise man once said about women.

" I don't trust women, anything that bleeds for seven days and doesn't die is a threat "

Edit: I can see how the above may cause offense, none was meant.

Mr Garrison, and i think it was 4 days

I'm Sorry Wendy, but I don't trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.

Jay · 22-10-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric pisch

Mr Garrison, and i think it was 4 days

I'm Sorry Wendy, but I don't trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.

Ah a fellow south park fan

Best programme on tv without a doubt.

eric pisch · 22-10-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indecisive Jay

Ah a fellow south park fan

Best programme on tv without a doubt.

can be a bit hit n miss, last weeks butters episode was immense, these weeks wwf one a bit week

Jay · 22-10-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric pisch

can be a bit hit n miss, last weeks butters episode was immense, these weeks wwf one a bit week

Yeah true, but when they're good, they're proper good.

Did you see the beauty pageant one?

Well it was more about michael jacksons ghost, but the beauty pageant part cracked me up with the judges on it

Sonic67 · 23-10-2009, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric pisch

Mr Garrison, and i think it was 4 days

I'm Sorry Wendy, but I don't trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.

A similar quote has been around longer than that. I said it at school to someone about 27 years ago.

eric pisch · 23-10-2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonic67

A similar quote has been around longer than that. I said it at school to someone about 27 years ago.

best you get in touch with matt and tray for some royalty's

Sonic67 · 23-10-2009, 1:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric pisch

best you get in touch with matt and tray for some royalty's

The net has it coming from Chubby Brown or Bernard Manning before Matt & Trey but I don't know if they were first.

Mr Noble · 23-10-2009, 9:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indecisive Jay

NAh I don't think they should be able to.

But some people abuse their power.

I don't think it's abuse of power , it's not against the law to swear just indecent in a public place, not all Police officer's walk round as if they own the place , imagine what the world would be like if there was not a police presence.

Everyone swears when under pressure or when angry, i'll be the first to admit i do...