The Police Department in Ft. Worth is implementing a policy prohibiting "bias(gay looking)-based policing
FORT WORTH -- The Police Department is implementing a policy prohibiting "bias-based policing," and officials say that officers who violate it
will likely be fired.
A special order signed Friday by Fort Worth Police Chief Jeff Halstead prohibits police employees from taking into consideration "race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, economic status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender status, membership in a cultural group or other individual characteristics or distinctions" while performing police duty.Lt. Paul Henderson, a police spokesman, said those who violate the policy will face harsh discipline "in the form of termination in most cases."
"This policy differs from racial profiling, which is mainly directed at prohibiting traffic stops based on race," Henderson said. "The bias-based policing policy prohibits any prejudice from entering into the decision-making process. We may not be able to change a person's behavior at work completely, but we sure can change their employment status if they bring their prejudices to the workplace."
Halstead said Friday that he hopes the policy will make it easier for employees to report abuses to their supervisors.
"I want to open up the minds and understanding that yes, this can occur here," Halstead said. "I want the employees to take self-ownership that they will not allow what has occurred, or could occur, in their private life to ever come into their police practices."
The policy, copies of which will be distributed to employees next week, takes effect immediately, Henderson said.
Jon Nelson, a founder of Fairness Fort Worth, said the new policy "speaks volumes" about Halstead.
"This policy would not exist but for the chief of police. He sets the tone and he made this decision and I think that this Police Department is significantly different because of his leadership," Nelson said.
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