It shall be the policy of the Flagler Beach Police Department that all contacts with members of the public are done with fairness, equity, and honesty. Any conduct, which deviates from this will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
It is the policy of the Flagler Beach Police Department to define the procedures and practices prohibiting biased policing of individuals in accordance with Florida Statutes for traffic contacts, field contacts, searches and seizures, asset seizure and forfeiture efforts, detention, interdiction, or other enforcement action by members of the Flagler Beach Police Department.
The Flagler Beach Police Department prohibits the use of unlawful biased policing in accordance with the laws of the Federal government, the State of Florida and the Ordinances of the City of Flagler Beach. All enforcement actions shall be in accordance with Florida State Statute.
A fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States to all who live in this nation is the right to equal protection under the law. Along with this right is the fundamental right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures by government agencies.
Citizens are free to walk and drive our streets, highways, and other public places without police interference so long as they obey the law. They are also entitled to be free from crime, and from the depredations of criminals, and to remain safe from the actions of reckless and careless drivers.
The Flagler Beach Police Department is charged with protecting these rights, for all, regardless of race, ethnic background, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, political status, disability, or any other protected characteristics.
Because of the nature of their business, law enforcement officers are required to be observant to the identity of unusual occurrences and law violations, and to act upon them. It is this proactive enforcement that keeps our citizens free from crime and the streets and highways they travel upon safe.
The agency’s biased policing policy is intended to assist the officers of the Flagler Beach Police Department in accomplishing this mission in a way that respects the dignity of all persons, and yet, sends a strong deterrent message to actual and potential violators that, if a law is violated, a police encounter will follow.
It shall be the Department’s policy to train Department employees, take corrective measures when necessary, and annually review the Department’s practices including citizen complaints and documented concerns involving biased policing.
A documented annual administrative review of traffic stop procedures, forfeitures and seizures related to fair and impartial policing will be completed by Chief of Police or his/her designee.