Racial Profiling
Racial Profiling is Prohibited
The HISD Police Department had established a policy directive, 422-603, concerning the prohibition of racial profiling as set out in state and federal laws regarding racial profiling and discriminatory practices in general. Discrimination in any form, including racial profiling, is strictly prohibited and the department will take immediate and appropriate action to investigate allegations of discrimination. This policy applies to all members of the HISD Police Department.
What is Racial Profiling?
Racial profiling is any law enforcement-initiated action based on an individual's race, ethnicity, or national origin rather than on the individual's behavior or information identifying the individual as having engaged in criminal activity.
Examples of racial profiling include but are not limited to the following:
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Initiating a traffic stop on a particular vehicle because of the race, ethnicity, or national origin of the driver.
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Stopping or detaining the driver of a vehicle based on the determination that a person of that race, ethnicity, or national origin is unlikely to own or possess that specific make or model of vehicle.
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Stopping or detaining an individual based on the determination that a person of that race, ethnicity, or national origin does not belong in a specific part of town or a specific place.
Data Reporting
Personnel designated by the Chief of Police will compile and place into a report format all incidents concerning racial profiling. The Chief of Police shall disseminate this data as required by statute.
Complaint Process
The department shall accept complaints from any person who believes he or she has been stopped, searched, or inappropriately ticketed or arrested based on racial, ethnic, or national origin profiling. No person shall be discouraged, intimidated, or coerced from filing such a complaint, or discriminated against because he or she filed such a complaint. Employees and supervisors shall report any racial profiling practice they observe.
If you have questions regarding police misconduct, contact the Internal Affairs Unit.
Internal Affairs Unit
3500 Tampa St.
Houston, Texas 77020
713-842-3715