Bias-Free Policing Policy
Treat Everyone Respectfully: Officers should treat all individuals with dignity, respect, and professionalism, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic.
Avoid Stereotyping: Officers should refrain from relying on stereotypes or assumptions when interacting with individuals. They should base their actions and decisions on the specific behavior, actions, and circumstances at hand.
Equal Enforcement of Laws: Officers should enforce laws equally and without bias. They should not show favoritism or discrimination based on personal characteristics or biases.
Objective Reasonable Suspicion: Officers should establish reasonable suspicion or probable cause for making stops, detentions, or searches based on specific behaviors or credible information, rather than relying on generalized or discriminatory assumptions.
Impartial Decision-Making: Officers should make decisions based on the facts and evidence presented to them, ensuring fairness and impartiality in their actions, investigations, and arrests.
Cultivate Cultural Awareness: Officers should strive to understand and respect the cultural, social, and linguistic diversity of the communities they serve. They should seek to enhance their cultural awareness through training and engagement with community members.
Bias-Free Language: Officers should use language that is inclusive, respectful, and devoid of bias or derogatory terms when interacting with individuals.
Report and Address Bias Incidents: Officers should report and address any incidents of bias they witness or become aware of within the police department or while on duty.
It's important to note that the specific guidelines and expectations outlined in a Bias-Free Policing Policy may vary between law enforcement agencies and jurisdictions. Officers are expected to familiarize themselves with the policy, undergo relevant training, and consistently uphold these principles to ensure fair and unbiased interactions with the public.