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<br />RACIAL PROFILING POLICY <br />OF THE <br />CITY OF P AIDS., P AIDS., TEXAS <br /> <br />I. PURPOSE <br /> <br />The purpose of the policy is to reaffirm the Paris Police Department's commitment to <br />unbiased policing in all its encounters between officer and any person; to reinforce <br />procedures that serve to ensure public confidence and mutual trust through the provision <br />of services in a fair and equitable fashion; and to protect our officers from unwarranted <br />accusations of misconduct when they act within the dictates of departmental policy and <br />the law. This policy is adopted in compliance with the requirements of Articles 2.131 <br />through 2.136, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. <br /> <br />II. POLICY <br /> <br />It is the policy of this department to police in a proactive manner and, to aggressively <br />investigate suspected violations of law. Officers shall actively enforce state and federal <br />laws in a responsible and professional manner, without regard to race, ethnicityor <br />national origin. Officers are strictly prohibited from engaging in racial profiling as <br />defined in this policy. This policy shall be applicable to all persons, whether drivers, <br />passengers, or pedestrians. <br /> <br />Officers shall conduct themselves in a dignified and respectful manner at all times when <br />dealing with the public. Two of the fundamental rights guaranteed by both the United <br />States and Texas constitutions are equal protection under the law and freedom from <br />unreasonable searches and seizures by government agents. The right of all persons to be <br />treated equally and to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures must be respected. <br />Racial profiling is an unacceptable patrol tactic and will not be condoned. <br /> <br />This policy shall not preclude officers from offering assistance, such as upon observing a <br />substance leaking from a vehicle, a flat tire, or someone who appears to be ill, lost or <br />confused. Nor does this policy prohibit stopping someone suspected of a crime based <br />upon observed actions andlor information received about the person. <br /> <br />III. DEFINITIONS <br /> <br />A. Racial profiling: means a law enforcement-initiated action based on an <br />individual's race, ethnicity, or national origin rather than on the individual's <br />behavior or on infonnation identifying the individual as having engaged in <br />criminal activity. Racial profiling pertains to persons who are viewed as suspects <br /> <br />10f5 <br /> <br />29 <br />