ii-38UnlawfulOrBImproperBias

Additions or revisions are highlighted 1 (11/20/2025 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER Subject: UNLAWFUL OR IMPROPER BIAS Index as: Biased Policing Reasonable Suspicion Unlawful or Improper Bias Fair and Impartial Policing Transgender Accreditation Standards: 1.2.9, 41.3.8, CFA 2.06 Cross Reference: G.O. I -01, Code of Ethics G.O. I -02, Mission, Values and Goals G.O. II-10, Processing Complaints Against Personnel G.O. III -01, Field Contacts G.O. III -36, Interactions with Transgender individuals G.O. III -40, Mobile Video Recording Systems (MVRS) I.O. V5 -05, Comm Procedures_ MDT, Radio, Cellular Telephone I.O. V.5:12, Seizure and Forfeiture Procedures I.O. V.6:04, Warrantless Entries and Searches § 943.1758, F lorida Statutes ., Curriculum revision for diverse populations; skills training Replaces : G.O. II -38 Bias -Based Profiling ( April 29, 2024 ) This Order prohibits bias ed policing , provides guidelines to prevent allegations of bias, and protects employees from unwarranted accusations when they act within the requirements of the law and Department policy. It consist s of the following sections: I. Policy II. Definitions III. Discussion IV. General Guidelines V. Motor Vehicle Stops VI. Reporting Procedures VII. Department Training and Community Education VIII. Review and Corrective Action I. POLICY A. Personnel will not act on unlawful or improper bias while conducting field contacts, traffic stops, searches, asset seizures, forfeitures , any other law enforcement activity , or providing police services . B. It is the policy of this Department: 1. To patrol in a proactive manner, to investigate suspicious persons and circumstances, and to enforce all applicable laws and ordinances in a fair and equitable manner; and DATE OF ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER April 2016 Immediately II-38 Distribution: All Employees General Order II -38 Additions or revisions are highlighted 2 (11/20/2025 ) 2. That citizens will only be stopped or detained when reasonable suspicion or probab le cause exists so as to believe they have committed, are committing, or are about to commit, a violation of the law. (See G.O. III -01, Field Contacts ). 3. That d etails regarding persons detained for an “investigatory stop” will be reported in the Field Contacts section in the Records M anagement System (RMS) , unless a police report is filed. 4. That a ny time a search of a person, personal belon gings or a vehicle is conducted, the basis for the search, the results of the search, and the person conducting the search must be documented in the police report or the Field Interview Report ( FIR). C. Personnel are encouraged to engage the members of the community in mutually beneficial conversation with the intent to foster community relations and resolve matters of concern. Such informal or consensual contacts are not based on reasonabl e suspicion as defined in thi s Order . A FIR is not required for informal or consensual contacts. II. DEFINITIONS A. Unlawful or Improper Bias ( Biased Policing ) – The selection or inappropriate consider ation of specified characteristics , attributes, statuses or traits common to a protected group while enforcing the law or providing police services without actionable intelligence to support consideration of that characteristi c, attribute, status, or trait . This includes, but is not limited to race, ethnic background, national origin, religion, gender , gender identity , marital status, socioeconomic status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political status, or any other legally protected or identifiable categories. B. Reasonable Suspicion – Suspicion that i s more than a mere hunch but is based on a set of articulable facts and circumstances that would warrant a person of reasonable caution to believe that an infraction of the law has been committed, is about to be committed, or is in the process of being com mitted by the person or persons under suspicion. This can be based on the observations of a Police Officer combined with the Officer ’s training and experience and/or reliable information received from credible outside sources. III. DISCUSSION A. Biased policing violates the constitutional rights of citizens. It undermines legitimate law enforcement efforts and may lead to claims of civil rights’ violations. Biased policing alienates citizens, fosters distrust of law enforcement by the community, and invites media scrutiny, legislative action, and judicial intervention. B. Police officer s should focus on a person’s conduct or other specific suspect information and must have reasonable suspicion, supported by specific, articulated facts, that the person contacted rega rding their identification, activity or location has committed, is committing , or is about to commit a violation of the law , or is currently presenting a threat to the safety of themselves or others. C. Traffic enforcement and pedestrian contacts are routine ly performed by police officers, but for the person stopped, it may be an emotionally upsetting experience. Officers should be aware of this and strive to make each contact educational and leave the citizen with an