Special Order - Bias-Free Policing - RESCINDED 3-35-21Date:
To:
From:
Subject:
City of Long Beach Memorandum Working Together to Serve
September 2, 2020
DISTRIBUTION
Robert G. Luna, Chief of Police
SPECIAL ORDER -BIAS-FREE POLICING
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Special Order is to memorialize the Long Beach Police
Department's commitment to professional, fair and bias-free treatment of all people
and to clarify the circumstances in which personnel may consider specified characteristics when carrying out duties.
Fair and bias-free policing enhances legitimate law enforcement efforts and
promotes trust within the community.
DEFINITIONS
Biased Policing -Discrimination in the performance of law enforcement duties or
delivery of police services, based on personal prejudices or partiality of an
employee toward classes of individuals based on specified characteristics.
Fair and Bias-Free Treatment -Conduct of an employee wherein all people are
treated in the same manner under the same or similar circumstances irrespective
of specified characteristics.
Police Services -Enforcement of the law an9 other actions and activities that
contribute to the overall well-being of the public.
These include, but are not limited to, welfare checks, death notification, public
assistance to persons who may be lost, confused or affected by mental or physical
illness, traffic control, medical emergencies, lifesaving services, crime prevention, public information, and community engagement.
Racial Profiling -The practice of detaining a subject based on specified
characteristics that casts suspicion on an entire class of people without any
individualized suspicion on the particular person being stopped.
Specified Characteristics -Real or perceived personal characteristics, to include
but not limited to race, ethnic background, national origin, immigration status,
gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic
status, age, disability, or affiliation with any political or non-criminal group
(protected characteristics).
GENERAL
Biased policing and racial profiling are prohibited both in the enforcement of the
law and the delivery of other police services. RESCINDED 3-25-21 SEE 3.49
Special Order-Bias-Free Policing, September 2, 2020
Page 2
Employees who are authorized to take enforcement action must be able to articulate specific facts, circumstances, and conclusions that support probable
cause or reasonable suspicion for any non-consensual detention and/or search or
seizure, as applicable. The articulable facts may include descriptors such as
gender, age, race or ethnicity if it supports individualized probable cause or
suspicion on that particular person. Nothing in this order shall limit an employee's ability to interview ·witnesses nor discourage routine conversations or consensual
contacts with the public.
The employees shall inform the subject regarding the reason for the contact if it
will not compromise the safety of employees or other persons or an investigation. The employee should inform the subject preferably at the point of contact or by the conclusion of every interaction. This is important to avoid misunderstandings as
to the reason for the contact.
SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervisors are responsible for ensuring compliance and shall initiate an investigation of any alleged violation of this order. For further refer to LBPD Manual
§4.1.1.2 Complaint Procedure -Watch Commander/Any Supervisor.
Supervisors shall ensure that employees who report instances of biased policing
are not subject to retaliation. Supervisors shall take prompt and reasonable steps
to address any retaliatory action taken against any member of this Department
who discloses information concerning biased policing.
This order will remain in effect until inclusion in the Long Beach Police Department
Manual. R.£�
Robert G. Luna, Chief of Police Date
RL:BB:ts Sharepoint:\Policy\Special Orders\SO-Bias-Free Policing.docx RESCINDED 3-25-21 SEE 3.49