Racial Profiling

Policy

It is the policy of the Duncanville ISD Police that its officers conduct themselves professionally and respectfully at all times when dealing with the public. Officers shall actively enforce the law responsibly and professionally, without regard to race, ethnicity, or national origin.  Officers are strictly prohibited from engaging in racial profiling as defined in this policy. This policy shall not preclude officers from offering assistance. Nor does this policy prohibit stopping someone suspected of a crime based upon observed actions and/or information received about the person.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to reaffirm the Duncanville ISD Police Department’s commitment to unbiased policing in all its encounters between an officer and any person; to reinforce procedures that serve to ensure public confidence and mutual trust through the provision of services in a fair and equitable fashion.

Duncanville ISD Police Department racial profile data is submitted annually to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education (TLEOSE) as required by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures Article 2.131-2.138. The public can obtain an electronic copy of the Racial Profiling Report from TCOLE by visiting their website. 

Definitions

Racial Profiling – A law enforcement initiated action based on an individual’s race, ethnicity, or national origin rather than on the individual’s behavior or on information identifying the individual as having engaged in criminal activity.

Race or Ethnicity – Of a particular descent, including Caucasian, African, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American descent.

Pedestrian Stop – An interaction between a peace officer and an individual who is being detained for a criminal investigation in which the individual is not under arrest.

Traffic Stop – The stopping of a motor vehicle by a peace officer for an alleged violation of a law or ordinance regulating traffic.

Complaint Investigations

  1. The department shall accept written complaints from any person who believes he or she has been stopped or searched based on racial, ethnic, or national origin profiling. No person shall be discouraged, intimidated, or coerced from filing a complaint, nor discriminated against because he or she filed such a complaint.
  2. Any employee who receives an allegation of racial profiling shall record the person’s name, address, and telephone number, and forward the complaint through the division commander’s office or direct the individual(s) to contact the division commander’s office. All employees will report any allegation of racial profiling to their supervisor by the end of their shift.
  3. Any officer found in violation of this policy will receive the appropriate corrective and/or
    disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Training

Officers shall adhere to all required racial profile training and education as is specified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education (TCLEOSE), pursuant to Chapter 1701 Texas Occupations Code.

Public Education

Inform the public of Duncanville ISD Police policy against racial profiling and complaint process.

Methods utilized to inform the public are:

  • the department’s web site
  • community
  • presentations
  • the media

Additionally, the information will be made available as appropriate in languages other than English.

The Duncanville ISD Campus-Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT) Program educates Duncanville ISD faculty, staff, and students about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their work, school, or living area. It also trains students in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search, and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the classroom training and hands-on exercises, C-CERT members can assist others on their campus and in their neighborhood in the event of an emergency when professional responders are not immediately available for help. 

As a Duncanville ISD C-CERT volunteer, you may also assist with various drills, exercises, and preparedness activities on your campus. If you are interested in becoming a Duncanville ISD C-CERT member, please see the City of Duncanville Department of Emergency Management’s website for additional information and how you can put your C-CERT training to good use at your school campus and in your local community.

For more information on what is required of Duncanville ISD C-CERT volunteers, please click here.  If you would like information regarding future Duncanville ISD C-CERT class dates or details on how to sign up for a future C-CERT class, please email vmercado@duncanvilleisd.org or kbaker@duncanvilleisd.org.