NCJ Number
144551
Date Published
1994
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This paper aims to integrate the small body of research currently emerging on the nature and impact of the police use of profanity and obscenity in formal contacts with citizens.
Abstract
The discussion focuses on profanity and obscenity in language use, intent and context of offensive language use by police officers, officer purposes for using profanity and obscenity, personal agenda provoked uses of profanity and obscenity, situationally provoked use of profanity and obscenity, and the effects of using profanity and obscenity. Research indicates that verbal behavior in the forms of profanity and obscenity by police officers sets the occasion for an aggressive response. Theoretically, these behaviors substantially increase the risk of a consequential physical altercation where the use of force becomes necessary. Obviously, numerous cases that involve the use of profanity or obscenity by police officer result in passive submission. Reinforcement resulting from such submission will likely strengthen this approach for the officer into a routine pattern for some categories of behavior and of people. Although profanity and obscenity used in a condescending and derogatory fashion may not result in immediate aggressive retaliatory responses, this language will likely result in suppressing the anger. A potentially harmful effect is the formulation of negative attitudes toward the police. A number of research studies indicate that negative experiences involving police use of profanity, obscenity, and other verbal abuse are generalized to other agencies and members of the occupation. 74 references and 5 questions