Biased Policing

What is Biased Policing?

Biased policing is the discrimination or inappropriate consideration of specified characteristics based on personal prejudices or partiality of agency personnel while enforcing the law or providing police services. These characteristics include but are not limited to race, ethnic background, national origin, immigration status, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, disability, political affiliation, or any other legally protected characteristics.

Biased policing often leads to allegations of violations of constitutional or civil rights. It undermines legitimate law enforcement efforts, fosters distrust of law enforcement, and invites outside scrutiny of agency practices.

What is reasonable suspicion?

Reasonable suspicion exists when some articulable facts or circumstances would lead a reasonable law enforcement officer, faced with the circumstances as they exist at the time, to suspect that a crime was committed, is in the process of being committed, or is about to be committed.

What is the Police Department’s policy regarding Biased Policing?

The Port St. Lucie Police Department's policy is to treat every citizen with courtesy and respect. The Department is dedicated to protecting the constitutional rights of citizens regardless of race, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, religion, economic status, age, or cultural group.

Law enforcement officers are required and expected to use skills developed through training, experience, and knowledge to identify suspicious circumstances, unusual occurrences, and law violations and act according to the situation presented. Law enforcement officers shall patrol proactively when there is a belief that a crime was committed, is in the process of being committed, or is about to be committed. This proactive approach aids in detecting criminals' apprehension, maintains our streets' safety, and protects our citizens and community from crime.

Employees of the Port St. Lucie Police Department shall not, directly or indirectly, participate in biased policing. Any contact, stop, detention, or search based solely on biased policing is prohibited and will not be tolerated.

Proactive Policing

Proactive Policing is the practice of deterring crime and criminal activity by showing police presence and engaging the public to learn their concerns. In contrast, responding to a complaint after committing a crime is considered reactive policing.

Proactive policing is part of the community policing approach to problem-solving.

Patrol personnel are the most fundamental problem-solving and crime-reduction resource and must be engaged in the entire process. Law enforcement officers are to be aware of problems occurring in their patrol zones and the surrounding zones and be engaged in solving those problems.

When law enforcement officers identify areas that generate repeat calls for service, problem-solving efforts can be initiated. Law enforcement officers may increase the time spent on proactive policing in those areas, such as directed patrols, field interviews, traffic stops, contacts with known offenders, contacts with potential victims, etc. This type of proactive policing reduces criminal activity, reducing the number of repeat calls for service.

The Port St. Lucie Police Department is committed to improving the quality of life in the community by providing quality services and emphasizing fair treatment.

For more information or to report a complaint of bias-based profiling, contact the Internal Affairs Section at 772-871-5106.