Professional Standards Unit

Bias Profiling Policy:

It is the policy of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office to proactively patrol, investigate suspicious persons and circumstances, and actively enforce the law, while only stopping or detaining citizens when reasonable suspicion or probable cause exists to believe they have committed, are committing, or about to commit a violation of the law.

Bias profiling occurs when, whether intentionally or unintentionally, a law enforcement officer applies their own personal, societal, or organizational biases or stereotypes when making decisions or taking law enforcement action, and the only reason for that decision or action is because of a person’s race, ethnicity, background, gender, sexual orientation, religion, economic status, age, culture or other personal characteristic, rather than the observed behavior of the individual or the identification of the individual as being, having been, or about to engage in criminal activity.

Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputies receive on-going training in accordance with the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) guidelines, with an emphasis on bias profiling issues such as field contacts, traffic stops, searches, asset seizure and forfeiture, interview techniques, cultural diversity, discrimination, community policing techniques, and legal aspects. Citizens are guaranteed equal protection under the law and the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures by the United States Constitution. Pasco Sheriff’s Office members will carry out their enforcement responsibilities in a manner that respects these rights and upholds the dignity of all persons.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office does not permit the use of bias profiling in any manner.

Complaints of Bias Profiling:

Any person may file a complaint with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office if they believe that they have been stopped or searched based on racial, ethnic, or gender profiling, and no person shall be discouraged, intimidated, or coerced from filing such a complaint, or discriminated against because they have filed such a complaint.

If you have been involved in an incident where you feel bias profiling has occurred, please complete the Professional Standards complaint form.