Not OK for Swedish police to say 'Negro'
A Swedish police officer has received a warning for repeatedly using the term "neger" (Negro) to a female witness while on duty.
"Generally speaking, the expression 'neger' is considered to be an obsolete, offensive and negatively charged word," wrote the Swedish National Police Board (Rikspolisstyrelsen) in their decision.
"Nowadays the word is so strongly connected with derogatory values that it ought not to be used within the Swedish Police."
The policeman has received an official warning, but charges will not be pressed against him.
The incident occurred at a police station in Gothenburg, in January 2010. The policeman was asked by colleagues to guard the woman while they left the room.
Whilst speaking to the woman, the policeman used the term "neger" several times. He also used the expressions "blå neger" (blue Negro) and "svart neger" (black Negro).
According to the policeman himself, these expressions have no negative or derogatory meaning for him.
The woman, however, questioned his use of the word, and felt insulted by it, according to the National Police Board's statement.
"It's obvious that you have not acted politely or respectfully in your conversation with this woman, nor in a way that instills trust and respect," concluded the board of the policeman's actions.
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"Generally speaking, the expression 'neger' is considered to be an obsolete, offensive and negatively charged word," wrote the Swedish National Police Board (Rikspolisstyrelsen) in their decision.
"Nowadays the word is so strongly connected with derogatory values that it ought not to be used within the Swedish Police."
The policeman has received an official warning, but charges will not be pressed against him.
The incident occurred at a police station in Gothenburg, in January 2010. The policeman was asked by colleagues to guard the woman while they left the room.
Whilst speaking to the woman, the policeman used the term "neger" several times. He also used the expressions "blå neger" (blue Negro) and "svart neger" (black Negro).
According to the policeman himself, these expressions have no negative or derogatory meaning for him.
The woman, however, questioned his use of the word, and felt insulted by it, according to the National Police Board's statement.
"It's obvious that you have not acted politely or respectfully in your conversation with this woman, nor in a way that instills trust and respect," concluded the board of the policeman's actions.
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