‘Woke’ police force guide that warned its own staff not to use the word ‘policeman’ or risk breaking the law is slammed by Tory MP

• The 12-page guide was published in June this year by Staffordshire Police force 

A new ‘woke’ police force guide that warns its own staff to not use the word ‘policeman, or risk breaking the law, has been slammed by a Tory MP.

Nigel Mills blasted police bosses for banning ‘perfectly acceptable, normal language’ in the 12-page guide from Staffordshire Police.

The guide which was published by the force in June of this year suggests officers ‘try not to use the words’ such as ‘policeman’, and to use ‘police officer’ instead. 

The recommendations also advise against using gender-biased expressions or expressions that reinforce gender stereotypes, such as ‘man up’ or ‘grow a pair’. 

Mills, the Conservative MP for Amber Valley, told The Sun: ‘You’d think the police have enough on their plate without spending time worrying about which perfectly acceptable, normal language they can and can’t use.’

The guide which was published by the force in June of this year, suggests officers ‘try not to use the words’ such as policeman, and to use police officer instead

The guide makes further suggestions for the way officers identify individuals by their jobs, adding that ‘cleaning lady’ should be swapped for ‘cleaner’, ‘spokesman’ should be switched to ‘spokesperson’ and ‘statesman’ should be replaced with ‘official’, ‘diplomat’, ‘political figure’, or ‘leader’. 

The document makes clear in capital letters, that it was issued as a guide that is ‘by no means exhaustive or definitive’. 

It adds: ‘Discrimination through language, whether intended or not, causes offence, patronises and may also be unlawful’. 

The guidance also covers disabilities and medical conditions, advising officers to try not use terms such as ‘diabetic person’, ‘handicapped’, ‘confined to a wheelchair’ and to definitely not use the term ‘dumb’ because it often ‘used as a derogatory term regarding someone’s intelligence’. 

On ethnicity, using the terms ‘half-caste’, ‘mixed race’ ‘oriental’ and ‘BAME’ are also advised against, with officers being encouraged to ‘be specific where you can’. 

A new ‘woke’ police force guide from Staffordshire Police warns its own staff to not use the word ‘policeman, or risk breaking the law

Tory MP Nigel Mills blasted police bosses for banning ‘perfectly acceptable, normal language’ in the 12-page guide from Staffordshire Police

In August, words such as ‘policemen’ and ‘chairmen’ were banned in advice handed out by a court industry body.

The Magistrates Association told its staff and volunteers to avoid umbrella terms such as ‘black, Asian or minority ethnic groups’, which can be ‘unintentionally divisive’.

It also encouraged them to ‘describe someone’s sexual orientation in the terms they suggest’.

Staffordshire Police told The Sun: ‘The guidance was produced alongside external consultants to ensure we treat each other and our communities with the utmost courtesy and respect.’ 

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