General_Orders-2026

Clearwater Police Department General Orders 2026 10 – PHILOSOPHY OF ENFORCEMENT 1 CLEARWATER POLICE DEPARTMENT 645 Pierce Street Clearwater, FL 33756 PHILOSOPHY OF ENFORCEMENT 10 REVISED DATE EFFECTIVE DATE C.F.A. STANDARDS June 10, 2020 May 11, 2001 10.1 Policy 10.4 Discretion 10.2 Community Interaction 10.5 Discriminatory Conduct 10.3 Equality of Enforcement 10.1 Policy The primary missions of the Clearwater Police Department are the protection of life and property, the maintenance of peace and order, the provision of emergency and other police related services to the public, and the consistent, impartial enforcement of the law. 10.2 Community Interaction A. Member s must attempt to make each public contact one which inspires respect for themselves and the agency. B. A member should not allow their individual feelings or prejudices to enter public contacts. C. Each member should strive for the elimination of attitudes which might impair their impartiality and effectiveness. D. Member s shall be tactful, patient, and courteous in all public contacts. E. Each member shall ensure that all citizens receive equal treatment under the law without regard to race, ethnic background, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, disability, political affiliation , or any other legally protected characteristics and shall grant to all persons the civil rights which they are guaranteed. 10.3 Equality of Enforcement All persons regardless of background, shall be afforded fair and impartial police services . 10 – PHILOSOPHY OF ENFORCEMENT 2 10.4 Discretion A. Discretionary decisions must be based upon the philosophy of enforcement described within this order and the guidelines established by the policies and procedures of the agency . B. Each member will be held account able for the use of discretion and should be prepared to justify discre tionary decisions. C. Uniform application of the law is a primary element in the use of discretion. All member 's actions s hall be consis tent with good judgment, equal protection under the law, restraint, and understanding. 10.5 Discriminatory Conduct A. Discriminatory conduct towards any person is prohibited. Member s shall not engage in such conduct while on or off -duty. B. Member s shall recognize the inappropriate consideration of specified characteristics such as race, ethnic background, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, disability, political affiliation , or a ny other legally protected characteristics while enforcing the law or providing police services is a violation of law, agency policy, and law enforcement ethics. . C. Any enforcement action taken by a member of the Clearwater Police Department shall be based on articulable and reasonable suspicion that an individual has committed, is committing or is about to commit a crime or an infraction of the law. D. All members are mandated to report any violations of this policy. E. At least annually, or at the direction of the Chief of Police, the Office of Professional Standards shall review all biased policing and discriminatory enforcement complaints to identify any policy or tra ining needs. F. Training and supervision are integral components of professional and impartial conduct. As such , the Personnel & Training Unit may offer courses to augment and reinforce the state mandated courses. End. 11 – FAIR & IMPARTIAL POLICING 1 CLEARWATER POLICE DEPARTMENT 645 Pierce Street Clearwater, FL 33756 FAIR & IMPARTIAL POLICING 11 REVISED DATE EFFECTIVE DATE C.F.A. STANDARDS June 10, 2020 September 1, 2003 2.06M 11.1 Purpose 11.5 Handling of Complaints 11.2 Policy 11.6 Training 11.3 Definitions 11.7 Administrative Review 11.4 Fair & Impartial Treatment 11.8 Community Education/Awareness 11.1 Purpose Biased policing undermines legitimate law enforcement efforts, alienates community members, and fosters community distrust. The purpose of this policy is to emphasize the agency’s commitment to unbiased, equitable treatment of all persons. 11.2 Policy Biased policing is prohibited. It is the policy of the Clearwater Police Department to treat all persons in a fair, impartial, equitable and objective manner, in accordance with law, and without consideration of their individual demographics as defined in th is policy. 11.3 Definitions A. Biased Policing – The inappropriate consideration of specified characteristics while enforcing the law or providing police services. B. Specified Characteristics – Race, ethnic background, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, disability, political affiliation , or any other legally protected characteristics. 11.4 Fair & Impartial Treatment A. All persons, ir respective of race or other distinctions, are to be treated in the same basic manner under the same or similar circumstances. This does not mean that all persons in the same or similar circumstances can or must be treated identically. Reasonable concession s and accommodations may be, and sometimes should be, made when dealing with individuals with physical or mental disabilities injury, illness, or similar conditions, or when information about them necessitates different treatment. 11 – FAIR & IMPARTIAL POLICING 2 B. Officers will enforce th