I feel this is a backward step, wondered what other here thought
Swearing at police is not a crime, judge rules
The decision by the Court of Appeal to overturn the public order conviction of a young suspect who repeatedly said the "F" word while being searched for drugs was last night condemned as "unacceptable".
Policing unions said the ruling would undermine respect for officers.
Overturning Denzel Cassius Harvey's conviction, Mr Justice Bean said officers were so regularly on the receiving end of the "rather commonplace" expletive that it was unlikely to cause them "harassment, alarm or distress".
Mr Harvey appealed against his conviction after he was fined £50 for bombarding police with foul language when they attempted to search him for drugs
Basically, the Judge is telling the Police that they charged him with the wrong crime.
They should have gone for a public order offence.
my view on the offensive words are that we all can swear as part of conversation especially when stressed or upset but to bombard in an aggressive manor is wrong, and i believe that if the odd swear word escapes our lips at a time of stress then these should be overlooked but when every other word is 'f' this and 'f' that then this is unacceptable
Saying (to another person) "you are a fucking wanker", "fuck off" or other such things IS and should remain a crime. That is being abusive and threatening and is intended to be.
It is an offence under Section 5 of the Public Order Act (I watch too many shows like Night Cops).
Swearing in every sentence as a 'normal' part of conversation is
a) moronic
b) chavish
c) deeply unpleasant to hear
d) evidence of a sad lack of vocabulary
e) ditto consideration for others.
All in all - just what you would expect from people who are badly brought up. Which is only not their fault until they reach adulthood - they are then responsible for their own behaviour and can't blame Mummy and Daddy for their choices or potty mouth. It shouldn't be tolerated in schools or the work place (I know it isn't in mine).
So how do we treat police officers who swear at the public ?? ... I've heard it more than once
It's only language ... swear at me all you want, I don't feel threatened until the stabbing starts.
As for the use of profanity displaying a paucity of vocabulary ... every swear word I use that you wont is one more word in my vocabulary that you don't have access to
I hardly ever heard my Father swear and I never heard my mother or Grandparents swear. I never swore in front of my parents, ever!
The only time I can remember my Father swearing was while working on old vehicles and struggling to undo a nut and bolt or some thing along those lines he would often say it was "as tight as buggery", of coarse I had no idea just how funny, and rude that was until I was much older
I am not overly bothered by swearing, but do strongly feel it must be in its place, if I was in company that I felt could or would be offended by bad language then I would avoid it at all cost's. I would not swear in front of a customer for instance. I would avoid searing in front of some one I had just met until I new them well enough to know their reaction.
I feel its just common courtesy, it is the way I was brought up, and the way I have raised my family also.
If you are a group of men/women in a working environment where no customers can be upset then I see no problem.
Words that are used to abuse another person, whether they are swear words or threats, then that person should be dealt with appropriately in my view
"The ruling comes after police chiefs were accused earlier this year of surrendering to foul-mouthed louts by banning officers from arresting yobs who taunt them with swear words and offensive language.
Guidance issued by the Metropolitan Police – Britain’s largest constabulary with more than 32,000 officers – told front-line police not to act because the courts will not believe they have been upset by the abuse. "
I am with the purists on this one and agree with many of the statements above especially those of foxylady. I am "old school", my parents did not swear at all and I try not to swear in general conversation, but I do think it adds content to jokes and do use it when Man City score etc.
We have to accept that it is part of the 21st Century but that does not mean it is right and a good reflection of what our children have become, which for many is disrespectfull.
BOLLOCKS
And before you get all hot under the collar look at the court ruling on the sex pistols album never mind the bollocks....language changes, it's use changes...we are no longer victorians
What would happen if the swearing was at the Judge, in the Court room?
When I was first employed in a factory producing tyres I quickly discovered that if I asked for a spanner it was less effective than asking for a fucking spanner.
Later when I worked in the same factory as my father I discovered that he had two vocabularies, the work one was extremely expletive heavy.
Now to go back to the point of the thread, I think its fair to say that the likliehood of a copper being offended or even mildy anythinged by the use of foul language is tiny. That said maybe we need a new law that reflects societies unwillingness to accept the treatment of its law enforcers in such a way by a tiny vocal minority.
If a customer called me a twat I would throw him or her out. Coppers dont have that choice so mebbe they need some protection?
