414.00 RACIAL/BIAS-BASED PROFILING
414.1 POLICY, PURPOSE, AND DEFINITIONS
(Effective 12-31-01) (Revised 08-21-08) (Revised 09-01-17) (A 1.2.9)
A. Philosophy. Racial/Bias-Based Profiling continues to be a challenge in the United States
despite constitutional guarantees of equal treatment under the law. Such profiling undermines
the public safety by straining police-community trust, which results in a lack of confidence in
the police by the communities they serve. The installation of strong, unambiguous laws which
prohibit unfair treatment by law enforcement can improve police- community relations, instill
confidence, and re-build trust between officers and the public.
B. Purpose. The purpose of the Racial/Bias-Based Profiling policy is to reaffirm Arlington Police
Department’s commitment to unbiased policing in all encounters between officers and
members of the public. These policies and procedures serve to ensure public confidence and
mutual trust through service provided in a fair and equitable manner.
C. Policy
1. It is the policy of the Arlington Police Department to police proactively; and rigorously
enforce state and federal laws in a responsible and professional manner, without regard for
race, gender or any other identifying characteristic.
2. This Racial/Bias-Based Profiling Policy is adopted in compliance with the requirements of
existing Texas Racial Profiling laws, which prohibit peace officers from engaging in
racial/bias-based profiling.
D. Definitions:
Racial/Bias-Based Profiling: Is defined as a law enforcement-initiated action based on, but not
limited to, an individual’s race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender
identity, religion, economic status, age, cultural group, or any other identifiable group; rather
than on the individual’s behavior or on information identifying the individual as having
engaged in criminal activity. Racial/bias-based profiling pertains to persons who are viewed
as suspects or potential suspects of criminal behavior. The term is not relevant as it pertains to
witnesses, complainants, persons needing assistance, or other citizen contacts.
(A 1.2.9)
Race or Ethnicity: For purposes of this policy: Alaska or American Indian; Asian; Black;
Latino or Hispanic; Middle Eastern; Pacific Islander or Hawaiian; and White.
An Act Constituting Racial/Bias-Based Profiling: Acts initiating law enforcement action, such
as a motor vehicle stop, a subject stop, a search, issuance of a citation, asset forfeiture or an
arrest based solely upon an individual’s race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual
orientation, gender identity, religion, economic status, age, cultural group, or any other
identifiable groups; or on the basis of racial or ethnic stereotypes, rather than upon the
individual’s behavior, information identifying the individual as having possibly engaged in
criminal activity, or other lawful reasons for the law enforcement action.