New Yorkers Can Give More than Just a Bronx Cheer to NYPD

An NYPD spokesman this weekend cleared up a common curiosity: cursing at cops can't get you canned. NYPD's Paul Browne told the Times City section that New Yorkers were within their rights to mouth off at officers. In response to a reader's query "Are there any limits to what I can say to a New York police officer?" civil liberties lawyer Norman Sigel added, “It’s legally protected, and I advise people not to curse at anyone, including police officers, but if you do, it’s not grounds for an arrest.” The paper then clarified that threatening an officer or attempting to incite a riot however might not be the safest way to keep yourself on the right side of the law. Ironically, it's getting tougher for cops themselves to get away with dropping expletives...at least on the big screen.

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By Billy Parker in News on January 17, 2009 1:33 PM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

Take my advice: Just be nice to the cop, and don't take advice from civil libertarians who don't have to nurse their broken noses and blackened eyes while pontificating about statute.

s0me_g0d

The brass say that it may not be grounds for arrest, but I guarantee that if you walk up to a street cop you'll either walk away in cuffs or walk away with multiple summonses. In either case, YOU'LL be in the wrong because you cursed at another person.

Alex

A plungering perhaps.

Ace

It may not be grounds for arrest, but it will most likely result in a beating.

books

when I was in 7th grade, I yelled f*ck the police at a passing nypd cop car. They circled round, called me to the car and when I came up to them one of them punched me in the face. I learned an important lesson that day.

thefacts

That was a funny story, buddy. LOL.

UnrepentantFenian

If you curse at anyone you should be prepared to be punched in your big mouth. Cursing at someone toting a club and a firearm just sounds incredibly dumb.