413 Impartial Policing (Issued 05-15-2008)FRIDLEY POLICE DATE OF ISSUE NUMBER:
GENERAL ORDER
May 15, 2008 413
SUBJECT: REVISION DATE SECTION:
Impartial Policing May 15, 2008 Green
I. PURPOSE
This policy is intended to reaffirm the Department’s commitment to
impartial/unbiased policing and to reinforce procedures that serve to assure the
public that the Department is providing service and enforcing laws in a fair and
equitable manner to all.
II. POLICY
All investigative detentions, pedestrian and vehicle stops, will be based on a
standard of reasonable suspicion or of probable cause. Arrests, nonconsensual
searches and property seizures will be based upon a standard of probable cause.
Officers must be able to articulate specific facts, circumstances and conclusions
that lead to their determination of reasonable suspicion or of probable cause in
accordance with the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution.
III. PROCEDURE
A. POLICING IMPARTIALLY
1. Except as provided in paragraph (2), officers shall not consider
race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or
religion in establishing either reasonable suspicion or probable
cause.
2. Officers may take into account the descriptors in paragraph (1) of
specific suspects based on information that links specific,
suspected, unlawful or suspicious activity to a particular individual
or group of individuals. This information may be used in the same
manner officers use specific information regarding age, height,
weight, etc
B. PREVENTING PERCEPTIONS OF BIASED POLICING
In an effort to prevent the perception of biased law enforcement, officers
shall utilize the following guidelines:
1. Be respectful and professional.
2. Introduce or identify yourself to the citizen and state the reason for
the contact as soon as practical, unless providing this information
will compromise officer or public safety.
3. Ensure that the detention is no longer than necessary to take
appropriate action for the known or suspected offense.
4. Attempt to answer any relevant questions the citizen may have
regarding the citizen/officer contact, including relevant referrals to
other agencies when appropriate.
5. Provide your name and badge number when requested, preferably
in writing or on a business card when practical.
6. Explain and/or apologize if you determine that the reasonable
suspicion was unfounded (i.e., after an investigatory stop).
C. SUPERVISION AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Supervisors shall ensure that all personnel in their command are familiar
with the content of this policy and are operating in compliance with it.