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E.P.P. 048 LONGWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT ENFORCEMENT POLICY & PROCEDURE NUMBER: EPP – 48 SUBJECT: BIASED POLICING EFFECTIVE: MAY 1, 2003 REVISED: JULY 1, 2023 ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE BIASED POLICING EPP – 48 Page 1 of 3 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this directive is to establish police department policy prohibiting biased policing practices in accordance with Florida State Statutes by Longwood Police Officers. General guidelines as well as special considerations in these areas are outlined. II. DEFINITIONS: A. BIASED POLICING: The inappropriate consideration of specified characteristics while enforcing the law or providing police services. Specified characteristics includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnic background, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, disability, political status, or any other legally protected characteristic. B. REASONABLE SUSPICION: Circumstances which reasonably indicate that a violation of law has been committed, is being committed, or is about to be committed. C. PROBABLE CAUSE: Probable cause exists where the facts and circumstances within the arresting officer’s knowledge, and of which they had reasonably trustworthy information, are sufficient in themselves to warrant a person of reasonable caution to believe an offense has been or is being committed. III. LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTACTS: A. Traffic / Field and Other Contacts 1. Officers will only conduct traffic stops, field contacts, etc. on individuals based upon the existence and accumulation of reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or other legal tactics. ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE BIASED POLICING EPP – 48 Page 2 of 3 2. Other reasons for conducting traffic stops, field contacts, etc. that are biased in nature are considered illegal and a direct violation of an individual’s fundamental rights that are guaranteed and protected by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Florida. These Constitutions grant the right to all persons to be free of infringement of their liberties, except when pursuant to the due process of law there is present reasonable suspicion or probable cause to believe they have committed, are about to commit, or are in the process of committing a violation of law. 3. As with traffic stops, field contacts, etc., efforts by officers to seize assets and conduct forfeiture actions will only be based upon the establishment of probable cause, responsible suspicion and other legal practices that are absent of any biased policing. IV. TRAINING A. All sworn officers shall receive approved training in fair and impartial policing; including legal aspects in accordance with Florida State Statute. B. All sworn officers shall conduct themselves in a professional manner as represented in the required training. Officers shall educate the community through daily awareness efforts by demonstrating a professional and non-biased demeanor. Officers shall make every effort to explain the legal basis of their public contacts by establishing a proper verbal dialogue with individuals whom they are in contact with. C. The public will be educated through various placements of informational literature throughout our jurisdiction. For example, What To Do When Stopped By A Law Enforcement Officer brochures are available in the police department lobby and distributed at community relations events. These brochures give clear and definitive instructions as to how to make complaints relative to the treatment from a law enforcement officer. These brochures also summarize the rights of a citizen when stopped by a law enforcement officer. V. COMPLAINTS OF BIASED POLICING A. As with any other complaint, all biased policing complaints will be seriously considered and investigated thoroughly in accordance with agency policy. General Order 27, Conduct Investigations, governs receiving and investigating complaints. B. An annual administrative review of agency practices, traffic stop procedures, all citizen complaints, and other documented concerns relative to the issue of biased policing will be conducted. Any deficiencies or problems identified will be ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE BIASED POLICING EPP – 48 Page 3 of 3 immediately addressed and measures to correct them will be implemented as soon as practicable.