DOJ-tells-Baltimore-cops-what-pronouns-they-must-use. The Baltimore Police Department is in the process of entering into a consent decree with the Department of Justice to correct civil rights deficiencies real or imagined.
Here is an excerpt from the agreement it sounds rather egregious to somebody who has never defecated between police shoes. I think that patrol, the bulk of any police department will get along just fine. The public may be entitled to courtesy until they are not, but respect, nope.
Cops, next time you get the minor accident call involving a banker with an attitude and a day laborer, treat the day laborer like the banker and the banker like the day laborer and watch the fun begin. Refer to the banker by his first name, double check everything he tells you, rather than mister try, hey buddy. With the day laborer, refer to him as Sir and Mr, be deferential. You may be surprised at the reaction as one party seeks to regain what he thinks he lost while the other tries to keep his new found status.
Respect has to be earned. Appropriate behavior earns appropriate respect. Lying, cheating stealing, assault, dope dealing are not hallmarks for respect. Being suspected of a whole host of crimes do not give license to abuse. Police are involved in a situation to solve a specific problem, taking away time-honored tools in conducting social intercourse undermines the whole process.
Ensure that BPD officers address and in documentation refer to all members of the public, including LGBT individuals, using the names, pronouns, and titles of respect appropriate to the individual’s gender identity as expressed or clarified by the individual. Proof of the person’s gender identity, such as an identification card, will not be required.
I don’t see that the consent decree will give have much of an effect on police report writing. Below (rendered from the ravages of time) is a typical police report narrative I would use on the initial offense report, supplement and booking slip”
C= Complainant (report writer, in this case)
SP# _ Suspected person
AP# _ Arrested person
O#_ Witnesses, cops, etc
E# __ Evidence
C acting in an undercover capacity and posing as a dealer and user of cocaine contacted AP #1 by phone. AP#1 had given C the telephone number during a previous meeting with instructions to call, should C need anything. C spoke with AP #1 and ordered an “eight ball of coke” for an agreed upon price of $175.
C met AP #1 at the HEB on Broadway and observed that SP #1 was seated in the right front seat. AP #1 entered C vehicle and displayed E-1 and stated the price of $175. C handed over $175, E-2 to AP#1 and gave the signal that the transaction was complete. AP #1 was arrested at the scene. SP #1 was identified and released at the scene. O-1 took custody of the E exhibits (Refer to O-1 report for details and disposition).
AP #1 was booked into BCSO.
I write a long report, some guys would write this report with two lines. All identification information is contained on a separate report form which is where each individual is designated AP#1, Sp #1, etc. This format removes the need for pronouns entirely gender specific or otherwise.
The only other place where pronouns may come into play would be during a subsequent interrogation. Again, not a consideration, because as far as I know, asshole is not gendered specific, as in “Any of you assholes want to talk to me?” It may come to pass that “asshole” will be inappropriate for those who indulge in anal sex and “mangina” works its way into the lexicon.
The current situation with the Department of Justice and state and local police departments is not dissimilar to Texas Hold ‘Em. The player in Texas Hold ‘Em with the most chips has better odds at winning than his opponent. The chip leader can force a showdown or overcome a better hand simply by raising “all in” with every deal. The challenger gets to do it once.
If on Monday DOJ decides that the Baltimore Police Department uniform of the day on Tuesday will be pink tutus, rollcall is going to look like a flock of flamingo’s landed.