October 5, 2004

SUBJECT: Non-Racially Biased Public Safety Policy

REPORT IN BRIEF

In May 2004, Staff presented a report to Council about building community linkages through communication.  In that report there were several recommendations from the consultant, one of which was that the department should implement a specific policy addressing non-racially biased Public Safety service delivery.

This report is to inform Council that the department has written and implemented a policy addressing non-racially biased public safety service. (Attachment A)

BACKGROUND

As requested by Council, staff has prepared a Department General Order addressing the provision of non racially biased public safety service.

The policy, which borrows heavily from the research and recommendations of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), has a twofold purpose. First, it provides clear guidelines and standards of conduct to our personnel. Second, it provides the community with a clear statement of our commitment to respecting the rights and dignity of everyone we contact.

EXISTING POLICY

DGOM Chapter 4; Part 4.15; Sections 4.15.01-4.15.03

DISCUSSION

The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety recognizes that our success depends largely on our ability to maintain the trust and confidence of the community we serve.  Conversely, no public safety agency can be truly successful if there is a perception in the community that its decisions are improperly based on race or other non-objective factors.  To improperly base decisions on race or ethnicity violates the law, the canons of our profession and the standard of conduct that our community has a right to expect.  It is therefore the intent of the Department to provide the attached policy to its members prescribing the circumstances under which race or ethnicity can properly be considered in law enforcement decisions. 

FISCAL IMPACT

None.

PUBLIC CONTACT

Public Contact was made through the posting of the Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City’s web site, publication of the Council agenda in the San Jose Mercury News, and the availability of the report in the Library and City Clerk’s Office.

ALTERNATIVES

None.

RECOMMENDATION

None.

Prepared by:

Heather L. Tannehill

Interim Manager, Bureau of Technical Services

Reviewed by:

Patrick Dwyer

Interim Director, Public Safety

Approved by: