Bias-Based Policing Policy

We are here to protect the community. Law enforcement officers are required to use skills developed through observation, training, and experience in order to identify suspicious circumstances, unusual occurrences, and violations of law (municipal ordinance, criminal and traffic), and to act according to the situation. We contact people who, according to our training, experience, and knowledge, are in a place or are acting in a way to make us believe that a crime was committed, is about to be committed, or is in the process of being committed. This proactive approach aids in the detection and apprehension of criminal suspects, maintains the safety of our streets and highways, and protects our citizens and community from crime.

We want to do the right thing. Discriminatory enforcement practices can alienate our citizens, foster distrust of the police in the community, invite media scrutiny, legislative action and judicial intervention, and potentially lead to allegations of constitutional and civil rights violations. As we perform our duties, it is imperative that we afford all citizens the Constitutional and fundamental right to equal protection under the law.

Bias-based policing is the selection of individuals based solely on a trait common to a group for enforcement action. This includes, but is not limited to: race, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, religion, economic status, age, cultural group, or any other identifiable group.

The Casselberry Police Department is committed to unbiased policing. Investigative detentions, traffic stops, arrests, searches, and property seizures by officers will be based on a standard of reasonable suspicion or probable cause in accordance with the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Officers must be able to articulate specific facts and circumstances that support reasonable suspicion or probable cause for investigative detentions, traffic stops, arrests, non-consensual searches, and property seizures.

Citizens who feel they have been stopped or searched due to bias-based policing are encouraged to file a complaint with the department. Complaints may be filed in person, by mail, electronic mail, or by telephone. To file a complaint in writing or by electronic mail please include all facts, names, dates, and places known. Please include as much detail as possible. All complaints will be investigated.

Updated 02/20/2021