Australian court rules that it is OK to tell police officers to 'f*ck off'
I would be surprised if such a ruling were made anywhere in the USA (though I welcome being shown as wrong about that) but Australia has pretty strong anti-authority and anti-police traditions. There have been previous similar rulings in other Australian jurisdictions -- e.g. here
"A Queensland magistrate has ruled that it is acceptable for people to tell police officers to "f*ck off". Magistrate Peter Smid yesterday threw out the court case against Mundingburra man Bardon Kaitira, 28, who swore at a female officer outside the Consortium night club on December 20, last year at 2.40am, The Townsville Bulletin reports.
Constable Belinda Young gave evidence that Mr Kaitira used the swear word twice towards her after a group of officers patrolling Flinders St East poured out his girlfriend's drink. "The defendant said 'f*ck off' and starting walking away and I asked: 'What did you say?'," she said. "He said 'f*ck off" again and then said: 'I don't like the police you think you are all heroes'.
"I told him it was an offence to swear at an officer and gave him two choices - a fine or be arrested." Mr Kaitira opted to be put in handcuffs and taken to the watch house....
Mr Greggery added that police were trying to criminalise language, which set a dangerous precedent. "When they try to set the bar this low they are saying the word f*ck is criminal conduct," he said. "This is language they use themselves on the job (while arresting offenders and to other officers)."
Mr Smid will decide today whether the Queensland Police Service will cover Mr Kaitira's legal bills.
The case follows that of Sydney student Henry Grech, who was cleared in May of an offensive language charge against police after a local court magistrate ruled the word "prick" was part of every-day speech.
SOURCE
9 comments:
"all things are lawful for me, but not all things are beneficial...."
Doesn't make much sense to tell the police to F^#K Off one minute and then scream that they aren't there protecting you the next, but that's what happens in a lot of jurisdictions in America. Cincinnati slowed down policing of predominantly black neighborhoods after the riots back in 2001-2002 during which the black community basically and collectively said the same thing. Funny how fast those same communities screamed like stuck pigs when the police presence was reduced, and they were left to their own resources.
Flipping a police officer off and using the verbal equivalent used to be cited as disorderly conduct in much of the US but several court rulings have thrown them out as free speech expression. It is a pretty stupid course of action though because there is such a conflicting patchwork of laws that if an officer is motivated they will find something to get you for.
MDH
In the U.S., the officer's would probably get sued for harassment because they poured out the girl's drink. Do they have a reasonable explanation for that?
But what happens if the officer tells the rowdy citizen to fuck off? And what's going to happen when you call them for help, and they don't show up. Hmmm?
Anon 2:33 AM, that's exactly why it's essential we exercise our 2nd Amendment rights.
police need to shut the "f" up. your job is to come to my need when I need it. all other times I shouldn't even see a cop. the problem is we have too many laws because we have too many pussies who seem to think their idea of morality is the same thing as the law. people who claim to want limited government are usually the first people to say we shouldn't have gay marriage, no one should smoke pot, and/or no to people who should engage in private personal financial transactions if it involves sex. at the end of the day the only role government has is to ensure that contracts between individuals and groups is upheld and to ensure that people are not causing DIRECT harm to someones life liberty or property. and thanks to the second amendment I only need the stupid cops if they got away from. COPS SUCK ESPECIALLY IF ANY OF THEM ALLOW ANY OTHER COP TO SKIRT THE LAW FOR ANY REASON. any cop who sees another cop committing a crime (even jaywalking) and gives them a pass should have their family killed in front of them. unless that give the average citizen the same deference.
Anon 1:26, hopefully your mother and other family members will be the next victims of some violent psycho. And hopefully the cops are busy eating donuts when you call. (and you will call) And when they do finally show up, hopefully they piss on all the dead bodies in front of you and give you a summons for littering. Have a nice day.
your job is to come to my need when I need it. all other times I shouldn't even see a cop.
And yet there is no legal obligation for the police to come to your aid.
Funny how that works, doesn't it?
You hate the cops until you need them.
Anon 1:26pm is typical of most people who want to engage in illegal activities. They condemn the cops for enforcing laws they don't agree with, rather than rallying support for legislative change.
There ARE jurisdictions in the United States where Prostitution, Gambling, and (some) Drugs are perfectly legal. There are others where the local populace has decided that the evils that accompany these vices (Venereal Disease, Organized Crime, Public Health) are not worth the "tolerance" of having them around.
If you don't like your local ordinances, you have 3 options. Sit on your fat arse and whine like a little girl, work for legislative change (if your arguments are that persuasive, this should be a snap), or leave for jurisdictions more to your liking.
Posting anonymously on a blog only qualifies you for "little girl" status.
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