Bias-Based Profiling Addressed

*This information statement is provided for the purpose of community education and awareness*

The Winter Springs Police Department provides law enforcement and related services to the citizens and visitors of Winter Springs. To accomplish this, officers must be observant, identify unusual occurrences and law violations, using reasonable suspicion, and act upon them. It is this proactive enforcement that keeps our citizens and our roadways safer. It further enables us to detect and apprehend criminals.

One of the more controversial issues facing law enforcement is the perception that law enforcement officers enforce traffic laws based on a driver having a certain trait common to a group.  At the Winter Springs Police Department, the issue of bias-based profiling has been addressed and it is the position of the chief of police that all laws shall be enforced equally, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, economic status, age, cultural group or any other identifiable group.  Bias-based profiling shall not be tolerated in our enforcement efforts.  The Winter Springs Police Department prohibits its members from using bias-based profiling during traffic stops or field contacts, as well as asset seizure and forfeiture efforts.

Bias-based profiling issues, including legal aspects, are provided to sworn members of the agency during in-service training in accordance with the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) requirements.  Agency policy prohibits bias-based profiling.  Members of the police department are responsible for ensuring all citizens of the community are treated with dignity and respect and we are committed to that mission.