Biased Policing and What is the Department’s What is Proactive Policing? Reasonable Suspicion Policy Regarding Biased Policing?

Biased policing is the discrimination or It is the policy of the Port St. Lucie Proactive Policing is the practice of inappropriate consideration of specified Police Department to treat every citizen with characteristics, based on personal prejudices or deterring and criminal activity by courtesy and respect. The Port St. Lucie Police showing police presence and engaging the partiality of agency personnel, while enforcing the Department is dedicated to protecting the law or providing police services. These public in order to learn their concerns. In constitutional rights of citizens regardless of race, contrast, responding to a complaint after a crime characteristics include but are not limited to race, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, national origin, immigration has been committed is considered religion, economic status, age, or cultural group. reactive policing. status, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, Law enforcement officers are required and expected Proactive policing is part of the community disability, political affiliation, or any other legally to use skills developed through training, experience protected characteristics. policing approach to problem-solving. and knowledge in order to identify suspicious Biased policing often leads to allegations of circumstances, unusual occurrences and Patrol personnel are the most fundamental violations of constitutional or civil rights. It violations of the law and then act according to problem-solving and crime reduction undermines legitimate law enforcement efforts, the situation presented. resource, and it is imperative that they are fosters distrust of law enforcement, and invites engaged in the entire process. Law enforcement outside scrutiny of agency practices. Law enforcement officers shall patrol in a proactive officers are to be aware of problems occurring in manner when there is a belief that a crime was their patrol zones, as well as the surrounding Reasonable suspicion exists when there are committed, is about to be committed or is in the zones, and be engaged in solving those articulable facts or circumstances which would process of being committed. This proactive approach problems. lead a reasonable law enforcement officer, faced aids in the detection and apprehension of criminals, with the circumstances as they exist at the time, to maintains the safety of our streets, and protects our When law enforcement officers identify areas that a crime was committed, is in the citizens and community from crime. that generate repeat calls for service, process of being committed, or is about to be problem-solving efforts can be initiated. Law committed. enforcement officers may increase the time spent on proactive policing in those areas, such as Employees of the Port St. Lucie Police directed patrols, field interviews, traffic stops, Department shall not, directly or indirectly, contacts with known offenders, contacts with What is Police Authority? participate in biased policing. Any contact, stop, potential victims, etc. This type of proactive , or search based solely on biased policing policing reduces criminal activity, thereby Enforcement action, including but not limited to is prohibited and will not be tolerated. reducing the number of repeat calls for service. vehicle stops, stops and frisks, detention, questioning, investigation, reports, , searches The Port St. Lucie Police Department is and seizure, application of force, and initiation of committed to improving the quality of life in the forfeiture proceeding. community by providing quality ——————————— services and emphasizing fair treatment. A legitimate objective of law enforcement is to protect the public by enforcing laws in a fair and impartial manner, recognizing both the statutory For more information or to report a and judicial limitations of police authority, while complaint of biased policing please contact protecting the rights of all persons. To this end, enforcement action must be based solely and the Professional Standards Division at exclusively of federal, state, and local laws, and the (772) 871-5106. policies and procedures of the City of Port Saint Lucie and the Port St. Lucie Police Department.

Port St. Lucie Police Department

Biased Policing Immediately contact the Port St. Lucie Police Department to conduct an investigation of any person suspected of committing or City of Port St. Lucie attempting to commit a Police Department crime. 121 S.W. Port St. Lucie Blvd. Building C Port St. Lucie, FL 34984

Phone: (772) 871-5000 TDD Phone: (772) 871-5029

www.cityofpsl.com/police

Remain anonymous and help fight crime. Contact Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers 1-800-273-TIPS or John A. Bolduc www.TCWATCH.org Chief of Police