Racial Profiling Policy

Purpose

It is the purpose of this policy to establish racial profiling guidelines for officers and employees of this agency. This racial profiling policy is adopted in compliance with the requirements of Articles 2.131 through 2.136, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which prohibits racial profiling by all Texas Peace Officers.

Policy

It is the policy of this agency for all agency employees to follow the rules and regulations set forth in the racial profiling policy.

Definitions

Racial Profiling

A law enforcement initiated action based on an individual's race, ethnicity, or national origin, rather than on an individual's behavior or on information identifying the individual as having engaged in criminal activity. Racial profiling pertains to persons who are viewed as suspects or potential suspects of criminal behavior. It is not relevant as it pertains to witnesses, complainants, persons needing assistance, or other citizen contacts.

Race or Ethnicity

Of a particular descent, including but is not limited to: Caucasian, African, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American.

Acts Constituting Racial Profiling

Acts initiated by law enforcement actions, such as a traffic stop, a detention, search, the issuance of a citation or warning, or an arrest based solely on an individual's race, ethnicity, or national origin, or on the basis of racial or ethnic stereotypes, rather than upon an individual's behavior, information identifying the individual as having possibly engaged in criminal activity, or other lawful reasons for the law enforcement action.

Pedestrian Stop

The interaction between a police officer and an individual who is being detained for the purposes of a criminal investigation in which that individual is not under arrest.

Traffic Stop

The stopping of a motor vehicle by a police officer for an alleged violation of a law or City ordinance that regulates traffic.

The annual policy review date is January.