 |
EDMONTON - Police Chief Mike Boyd's most recent attempt to clean up the force -- by banning bad words among on-duty cops -- is being applauded for its intent, but is creating confusion as to its execution.
"I think it's a matter of public courtesy, but when you're dealing with human beings, whether in uniform or not, the occasional cuss word may be emitted," MacEwan college criminologist Bill Pitt said the day after Boyd's announcement.
NO LIST OF BAD WORDS
Police commission chair Brian Gibson says officers are not given a list of words they should avoid.
He added that any complaints received on the subject would go through the normal EPS complaints channels and would likely result in a verbal reprimand.
Boyd told Sun Media on Friday that he is now adopting a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to foul language.
The department previously had a policy that allowed cops to cuss in certain circumstances.
While Pitt understands the reasoning -- officers can make matters worse for all involved when letting loose with the F-word -- he questioned the practical value of restraining a group of people who work under stressful and often dangerous circumstances day in and day out.
"To be quite honest, the rank and file is going to have more of a chuckle over this. They may take it to heart, but I don't think it's going to be taken too seriously. I think maybe the chief had a few complaints and he's got to be seen to be doing the right thing," he said.
"This is more a matter of optics and perception rather than a policy."
Pitt added that swearing is "part of the subculture of policing" all over the world, and attempts to change that will likely be futile.
"I don't think we need to make a federal case out of it. I think there are bigger fish to fry."
In part, because of the lack of clear guidelines and the difficulty of enforcing such a policy, Pitt says that Boyd's attempt to wash his officers' mouths out with soap will likely fizzle out and be little more than a memo passed to commanding officers.
MOUNTIES NOT FOLLOWING
Such a guideline could be seen as example-setting, but an RCMP spokesman says the Mounties are not about to go down that road.
"Our conduct is expected to be appropriate and professional at all times," Cpl. Wayne Oakes said yesterday.
"It is impossible to put into policy, 'Well, if you're doing this, it's OK to say that. Or if you're doing that, it's OK to say this.' You cannot be that prescriptive in policies."
Oakes added that the RCMP's current policy is "very" effective.
TAMAS.VIRAG@SUNMEDIA.CA