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403 Hastings Police Department
Hastings PD Policy Manual - 2020
Avoiding Racial Profiling
403.1 POLICY
It is the policy of the Hastings Police Department to reaffirm our commitment to impartial policing
and to reinforce procedures that serve to assure the public we are providing service and enforcing
laws in a fair and equitable manner to all.
403.2 DEFINITION
Racial profiling has the meaning given to it in Minnesota Statute 626.8471, Subd. 2. which states:
"Racial profiling" means any action initiated by law enforcement that relies upon the race, ethnicity,
or national origin of an individual rather than:
(1) the behavior of that individual; or
(2) information that leads law enforcement to a particular individual who has been
identified as being engaged in or having been engaged in criminal activity.
Racial profiling includes use of racial or ethnic stereotypes as factors in selecting whom to stop and
search. Racial profiling does not include law enforcement's use of race or ethnicity to determine
whether a person matches a specific description of a particular subject.
403.3 PROCEDURES
A.Policing impartially, not racial profiling, is standard procedure for this agency meaning:
1.investigative detentions, pedestrian and vehicle stops, arrests, searches and
property seizures by peace officers will be based on a standard of reasonable
suspicion or probably cause in accordance with the Fourth Amendment of
the United States Constitution and peace officers must be able to articulate
specific facts, circumstances and conclusions that support reasonable suspicion
or probably cause for investigative detentions, pedestrian and vehicle stops,
arrests, nonconsensual searches and property seizures;
2.except as provided in paragraph 3., peace officers shall not consider race,
ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation and religion in establishing
either reasonable suspicion or probable cause; and
3.peace officers may take into account the descriptors in paragraph 2. based on
information that links specific, suspected, unlawful or suspicious activity to a
particular individual or group of individuals and this information may be used in
the same manner officers use specific information regarding age, height, weight,
etc. about specific suspects.
B.In an effort to prevent the perception of biased law enforcement peace officers shall:
1.be respectful and professional;
2.introduce or identify themselves to the citizen and state the reason for the contact
as soon as practical unless providing this information will compromise officer or
public safety;
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Hastings Police Department
Hastings PD Policy Manual - 2020
Avoiding Racial Profiling
3.ensure 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 their name and badge number when requested, preferably in writing or
on a business card; and
6.explain and/or apologize if it is determined the reasonable suspicion was
unfounded (e.g. after an investigatory stop).
C.Supervisors shall ensure all personnel in their command are familiar with the content
of this policy and are in compliance.
403.4 DUTY TO REPORT
Every member of this department shall perform their duties in a fair and objective manner and are
responsible for promptly reporting any suspected or known instances of bias-based policing to a
supervisor. Members should, when reasonable to do so, intervene to prevent any biased-based
actions by another member.
403.5 VIOLATIONS
Alleged violations of this policy must be reported to POST in accordance with the reporting
requirements in Minn. Stat. 626.8457.
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Published with permission by Hastings Police Department Avoiding Racial Profiling - 308