BOSTON — A Massachusetts legislator has proposed a bill that would punish police officers for swearing or using racial slurs while dealing with the public.
Officers could even lose their jobs under the bill proposed by Springfield Democrat Benjamin Swan, which was scheduled to be discussed in committee Thursday.
Co-sponsor Paul Heroux told the Boston Herald that police are public servants and it’s unprofessional and “beneath the dignity” of officers to use bad language toward the people they represent.
The Attleboro Democrat said the bill reinforces good police practice.
Wayne Sampson, executive director of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, called it “radical legislation” that is too broadly written.
Everett Chief Steve Mazzie, president of Major City Chiefs, said he’s concerned that exemplary officers could be fired over one bad word.
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