Police officers in Scotland’s Lothian and Borders area have received guidance on what not to say while at work.
The Appropriate Language Guide is intended to help officers avoid insulting members of the public by using offensive words and phrases, the BBC has reported.
Among the language to be avoided are ‘old biddies’ when referring to the elderly and ‘batting for the other side’ when discussing gay people.
The guide also warned police: “You need to be aware that terms such as ‘dear’, ‘pet’ or ‘love’ can be devaluing and patronising.”
While equality group Stonewall Scotland welcomed the guide, Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken complained about the expenditure, saying: “They should cut this nonsense out and have a few more officers patrolling the streets of Edinburgh.”
