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21 Nov 2011

Should swearing at the police remain illegal?

As a judge rules that swearing at the police is so common it’s unlikely to cause offence, the Police Federation tells Channel 4 News that decriminalising it would be a “slippery slope”.

Should swearing at the police be illegal? (Getty)

The debate follows a decision by the Court of Appeal to overturn the conviction of a young man who swore at police officers while being searched for drugs.

Mr Justice Bean said that swearing was so common now that the language was unlikely to distress officers.

But the Police Federation, which represents officers up to and including the rank of chief inspector, has condemned the ruling and told Channel 4 News it could lead to a “slippery slope”.

It is concerned that because the ruling was made by the Court of Appeal it will have a bearing on all cases in lower courts.

Police Federation of England and Wales Vice-Chairman Simon Reed said: “You just can’t have people being allowed to swear at police officers without there being some recourse.

“It gives the perception that people can swear at officers with immunity.

“How does this bode for the rest of the public or people in authority? What about other emergency services, doctors in Accident and Emergency. It’s potentially going to lead to a denigration of standards.”

Associated with aggression

Simon Reed disagreed with Mr Justice Bean’s ruling that swearing is so common that it does not cause police officers alarm, adding that officers could distinguish between someone swearing out of frustration and in a threatening manner.

“We are used to hearing swearing but it’s different when it’s directed personally at you.

“When someone is swearing at police officers it’s often associated with aggression. They often bait officers to see what reaction they get.”

We asked Channel 4 News Facebook fans if they think swearing at police should be illegal?

Karen Stambrovskis: Swearing in public to anyone should be illegal, it's not very nice, whoever you are (policeman or otherwise).

Stephen Mcdonald: It must remain an offence otherwise we will erode our morals even more. The next thing you will want is I only slapped him/her! That's ok and so it will go on.

Grant Fraser: Do the police need any more laws to silence us, whatever happened to freedom of speech? I don't care if some one calls me names, I'm also a teacher and have had to deal with it many times, why should the police have special protection from it, or power to arrest people for it. It would be ridiculous.

Keri Smith Rogers: It's a little thing called freedom of speech! It's already been taken away from protestors, not to mention just about all our god given rights here in America have been taken away!

Add your voice now: facebook.com/Channel4News

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