HH ON THE USE OF PROFANITY
HH is church-going but not religious. He believes in God, worships on Sunday, and tries to lead a decent life. Like many who work in the public safety sector, he does have a vocabulary he uses at work that he does not use at home.
The change in the dynamics at work has changed, but not the overall tenor of the Department. While his workplace has a masculine emphasis, recent recruiting and hiring have created a diverse workforce. Within the station, parking lot, and among his work associates at Home Plate (the unofficial bar hangout for law enforcement in the South Bay), there is an acceptable level of profanity used to maintain some level of levity in a serious but adventuresome workplace.
He accepts profanity laced with expletives from his co-workers as just the usual conversation among those who share their common bond. However, he will challenge someone for taking the Lord’s name in vain, as it is something he feels is not proper in the workplace, or for that matter, anywhere.
HH uses the verb, noun, or adverb “asshole” in several ways. It could be a term of endearment, a description of someone’s ridiculous behavior, or a description of someone’s actions that he may disagree with. It also describes a person’s character when they may appear vindictive or not conforming to the street cop philosophy. Many times that refers to the higher ranks of the PD, including sergeants, lieutenants, and captains. Never the Chief.
He accepts the use of initials for the term “M. F.” of the abbreviated fuck but has no problem spelling it out when necessary. He remembers the terms in the Marines, where it became commonplace as a normal part of the conversation. His instructors cautioned that the terms were restricted to the base and not taken home. He and his fellow Marines were cautioned not to say, pass the fuckin potatoes, at the home dinner table. Some did anyway.
He has found profanity highly effective in dealing with combative arrestees in the street. For some reason, when shouted or whispered in the ear, it gets their attention. Perhaps the underlying assumption is that it means serious business when used to control a situation.
The bottom line is that there is an acceptable level of profanity within the workplace, or Cop Shop, as a part of the everyday activity level. Just do not bring it home.
