Bias-Based Profiling
One of the reasons for this brochure is to clearly state that racial and ethnic profiling in law enforcement is totally unacceptable. A fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States to all who live in this nation is equal protection under the law. Along with this right to equal protection is the fundamental right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures by government agents. 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 also are entitled to be free from crime, the unlawful acts of criminals, and to drive and walk our public ways safe from the actions of reckless and careless drivers.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is charged with protecting these rights, for all, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, physical handicap, religion, or other belief system.
Because of the nature of their business, law enforcement officers are required to be observant, to identify unusual occurrences and law violations, and to act upon them. It is this proactive enforcement that helps keep our citizens free from crime, our streets and highways safe to drive upon, and detects and apprehends criminals.
It is the policy of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office to patrol in a proactive manner, to aggressively investigate suspicious persons and circumstances, and to actively enforce the motor vehicle laws, while insisting that citizens will only be stopped or detained when there exists reasonable suspicion to believe they have committed, are committing, or are about to commit, a violation of the law.
Should you encounter a situation where you believe you were stopped by a deputy based on your race, color, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, physical handicap, or religion, you are encouraged to contact the on-duty shift lieutenant as soon as possible at (407) 348-2222.
