Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
401 Delano PD Policy Manual
Bias-Based Policing
401.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidance to department members that affirms the Delano Police Department's
commitment to policing that is fair and objective.
Nothing in this policy prohibits the use of specified characteristics in law enforcement activities
designed to strengthen the department's relationship with its diverse communities (e.g., cultural
and ethnicity awareness training, youth programs, community group outreach, partnerships).
401.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
Bias-based policing - An inappropriate reliance on characteristics such as race, ethnicity,
national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, economic
status, age, cultural group, disability or affiliation with any non-criminal group (protected
characteristics) as the basis for providing differing law enforcement service or enforcement (Penal
Code § 13519.4).
401.2 POLICY
The Delano Police Department is committed to providing law enforcement services to the
community with due regard for the racial, cultural or other differences of those served. It is the
policy of this department to provide law enforcement services and to enforce the law equally,
fairly, objectively and without discrimination toward any individual or group.
401.3 BIAS-BASED POLICING PROHIBITED
Bias-based policing is strictly prohibited.
However, nothing in this policy is intended to prohibit an officer from considering protected
characteristics in combination with credible, timely and distinct information connecting a person or
people of a specific characteristic to a specific unlawful incident, or to specific unlawful incidents,
specific criminal patterns or specific schemes.
401.3.1 CALIFORNIA RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT
Members shall not collect information from a person based on religious belief, practice, affiliation,
national origin or ethnicity unless permitted under state or federal law (Government Code §
8310.3).
Members shall not assist federal government authorities (Government Code § 8310.3):
(a) In compiling personal information about a person’s religious belief, practice, affiliation,
national origin or ethnicity.
(b) By investigating, enforcing or assisting with the investigation or enforcement of any
requirement that a person register with the federal government based on religious
belief, practice, or affiliation, or national origin or ethnicity.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/06, All Rights Reserved. Bias-Based Policing - 1
Published with permission by Delano Police Department