Racial Profiling Policy


I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of this order is to define departmental policy and provide guidance to employees regarding bias-based profiling. Profiling, in itself can be a useful tool to assist law enforcement officers in carrying out their duties. Bias-based profiling, however, is the selection of individuals based solely on a common trait of a group. The practice of bias-based profiling by law enforcement personnel undermines legitimate law enforcement efforts and may lead to claims of civil rights violations. Additionally, bias-based profiling alienates citizens, fosters distrust of law enforcement by the community, invites media scrutiny, and judicial intervention.

This policy does not prohibit department personnel from stopping or detaining individuals if a specific report exists in which an individual’s race, national origin, citizenship, religion, ethnicity, age or gender is a factor in determining the existence of reasonable suspicion and/or probable cause for taking police action. Nor does this policy prohibit officers from offering assistance to the public or stopping someone suspected of a crime based upon observed actions and/or information received about the person.

II. GENERAL POLICY

It is the policy of the Midland Police Department to patrol in a proactive manner, to aggressively investigate suspicious persons and circumstances, and to actively enforce motor vehicle laws, while insisting that citizens will only be stopped or detained when there exists reasonable suspicion to believe that they have committed, are committing, or are about to commit a violation of the law. It is the policy of the Midland Police Department to protect the fundamental rights of all citizens, and to provide equal protection under the law. Therefore, the Midland Police Department prohibits the use of bias-based profiling in traffic contacts, field contacts, and in asset seizure and forfeiture. (CALEA 1.2.9.a)      

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