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Racial Profiling

TBR Policy Reference: 7:01:20:00

Approved by: Dr. George Pimentel

Original Date Effective: 2021-01-25

Last Modified: 2021-01-25

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide Jackson State Community College Campus Police Department members with constitutional policing principles that protect citizens from racial profiling and send clear direction to officers that racial profiling is never permitted.

Definitions

  1. Racial Profiling: The detention or interdiction of an individual in traffic contacts, field contacts, or asset seizure and forfeiture efforts solely on the basis of the individual’s actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, or national origin as defined by TCA § 38-1-502.
  2. Law Enforcement Agency: A lawfully established state or local public agency that is responsible for preventing and detecting crime and enforcing laws or local ordinances; and has employees who are authorized to make arrests for crimes while acting within the scope of their authority; and includes an institution considered a “law enforcement agency” pursuant to TCA § 49-7-118 (which addresses public and private higher educational institutions).

Policy

This policy is established in accordance with TCA § 38-1-501 through 503, governing Racial Profiling. The Jackson State Community College Campus Police Department prohibits racial profiling by any employee. The Jackson State Community College Campus Police Department requires officers to investigate and detect crime in a proactive manner. This requirement is fulfilled through actively investigating suspicious persons and circumstances, and enforcing criminal and motor vehicle laws. At a minimum, reasonable suspicion must exist that someone is committing, has committed, or is about to commit an offense before any stop or detention is attempted or initiated. No law enforcement action shall ever commence solely on the basis of the individual’s actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, national origin (suggest replacing this part with the words “Racial Profiling). Jackson State Community College Campus Police Department personnel shall not engage in racial profiling and shall respect the dignity of all persons while accomplishing the mission of the Jackson State Community College Campus Police Department.