GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
POLICY / PROCEDURE
PATROL



SUBJECT: PROFILING (Traffic stops)

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 01, 2004

POLICY:
The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office shall train all personnel to recognize practices that constitute “Profiling” as defined in C.R.S. 24-31-309, prohibit this practice by members of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, provide a method for citizens who wish to comment on their encounters with this office, and require Deputies to provide adequate identification to persons they contact, but do not issue a citation to, as a result of a traffic stop.

PURPOSE:
To clarify the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office stance against profiling and provide guidelines for Deputies to comply with the provisions of CRS 24-31-309.

METHOD:
Profiling, as defined by 24-31-309 is “the practice of detaining a suspect based on race, ethnicity, age or gender without the existence of any individualized suspicion of the particular person being stopped”. In order to avoid an allegation of profiling, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office shall adhere to the following:
• Deputies shall call in ALL traffic contacts (via radio) to dispatch for the purpose of tracking such actions through our records management system.
• Deputies shall carry with them business cards provided by the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office identifying them by name, and a phone number to contact the Sheriff’s Office.
• Deputies shall provide a business card to ALL persons contacted during a traffic stop situation where a citation is NOT issued, or an arrest is not made. The business card shall be provided regardless of the persons contacted requesting a card.
• ALL calls or written documents received regarding a profiling complaint or comment as a result of a business card being provided during a traffic stop shall be referred to the Sheriff or the Undersheriff.
• Complaints or comments received shall be provided in an annual report and available for public inspection.
• Complaints suggesting the use of profiling practices by Garfield County Sheriff’s Deputies shall be investigated. Complainants shall have their identities withheld until such time as the investigation dictates that they need to be identified.
• Anonymous complaints where an investigation cannot be furthered shall be subject to dismissal if wrongdoing cannot be determined without the cooperation of a complainant.
• Any substantiated complaint of profiling by Garfield County Sheriff’s Deputies shall subject the Deputy to disciplinary procedures.
 

Printable Version

    Search                                                    Garfield County Sheriff's Office     107 8th St.     Glenwood Springs, CO 81601     (970) 945-0453                              Site Map