TITLE
RESOLUTION PROHIBITING RACIAL PROFILING AND PROVIDING FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF PROCEDURES RELATED THERETO

BODY
WHEREAS, "racial profiling" has come to be defined as the initiation of police traffic stops primarily based on race; and
WHEREAS, there is currently a national dialogue concerning the existence and extent of racial profiling, which has included a town hall meeting in Miami-Dade on the issue; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County affirms the value of diversity and respect of ethno-cultural differences in the community; and
WHEREAS, the clearly stated governmental rejection of racial profiling, coupled with enforcement mechanisms utilized by the Miami-Dade County Police Department, offer the potential to deter racial profiling, allay community perceptions of racial profiling, build support for law enforcement, and create an atmosphere of trust between police officers and the community they serve,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. It is the policy of Miami-Dade County that:
a) racial profiling is prohibited, and
b) traffic stops initiated by the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) will be based solely on legal grounds.
Section 2. The County Manager shall direct the Director of the Miami-Dade Police Department ("the Director") to develop and implement procedures to insure compliance with this resolution.
Section 3. The County Manager shall direct the Director to collect, analyze and report on data from motorists in all traffic stops, beginning in the fiscal year 2000-2001.
Section 4. The County Manager shall report to the Board of County Commissioners concerning the Director's report.
Section 5. The Independent Review Panel is authorized to create a mechanism for the receipt and review of complaints by citizens who believe their stop was racially motivated, with the opportunity for departmental response.
Section 6. The County Manager shall direct the Director to establish procedures for counseling, corrective and/or disciplinary action when an officer is found by the MDPD to have violated MDPD policy prohibiting racial profiling.
Section 7. The Board of County Commissioners encourages municipalities within Miami-Dade County to enact a policy prohibiting racial profiling within their jurisdictions.