Biased-Based Policing

The purpose of this policy is to emphasize the UW-Platteville Police Department’s commitment to unbiased, equitable treatment of all persons in enforcing the law and providing police services.

Policy: Biased-Based Policing

Author: Chief Joseph M. Hallman

WILEAG Standard: 1.7.8

Issue Date:  June 1, 2021

Reviewed Date: March 20, 2026

Revised Date: March 20, 2026

 

Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to emphasize the UW-Platteville Police Department’s commitment to unbiased, equitable treatment of all persons in enforcing the law and providing police services.

Policy:

Maintenance of public trust and confidence in the police is critical to effective policing and is achieved largely through fair and equitable treatment of the public. This is a basic requirement of law enforcement and the right of all persons in our society. It is the policy of the UW-Platteville Police Department that all persons shall be treated in a nonpartisan, fair, equitable, and objective manner, in accordance with both the United States and Wisconsin Constitutions. Officers will not initiate any law enforcement action based on a person’s race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, political affiliation, disability, marital status, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, age, cultural group, or any other identifiable characteristics. (1.7.8.1)

Definitions:

1. Bias-based policing- Any law enforcement-initiated action that relies upon common traits associated with belonging to a certain group; such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, political affiliation, disability, marital status, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, age, cultural group, or any other identifiable characteristics.
2. Equal Treatment- Persons, irrespective of race, culture or other distinction, shall be treated in the same basic manner under the same or similar circumstances. This does not mean that all persons in the same or similar circumstances can or must be treated identically in all cases. Reasonable concessions and accommodations may be, and sometimes should be made when dealing with individuals with physical or mental disabilities, injury, illness, infirmity, or similar conditions, or when information about them necessitates different treatment.
3. Police Services- These include, but are not limited to, such tasks as assistance at fire scenes, traffic accidents, and medical emergencies, lifesaving services, crime prevention, preventive patrol, traffic control, public information, education, assistance, and similar activities

Procedures:

1. Fair and Equal Treatment
   1. Bias-based policing is prohibited both in enforcement of the law and the delivery of police services. Officers may not use race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, political affiliation, disability, marital status, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, age, cultural group or any other identifiable characteristic as the sole criteria for determining when or how to take enforcement action or provide police services.
   2. Officers may use common traits as outlined above in selecting whom they stop when a person matches the specific description of an individual who is suspected of engaging in criminal behavior. (1.7.8.2)
   3. Unless exigent circumstances exist, officers shall not engage in a law enforcement matter when it involves a family member, friend, or relative such that the officer's objectivity may be, or may appear to be, compromised.
2. Bias Free Policing Pledge
   1. All officers will sign the Bias Free Policing Pledge (Appendix A) within the first week of hire.  Copies of the signed pledge will be kept in the officer’s employee personnel file within the Police Department.
3. Bias Based Training
   1. University Police Officers will undergo a bias based training session upon hiring and refresher training from time to time throughout his/her employment with UW-Platteville Police Department.