The Manatee County Sheriff's Office Prohibits Bias-Based Profiling
We are here to protect the community:
It is the policy of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office to patrol in a
proactive manner, to aggressively investigate suspicious persons and
circumstances, and to actively enforce the laws. Members of this
agency will focus on the conduct of the person or other specific
information for any investigatory contacts. Deputies must have
reasonable suspicion supported by specific articulated facts that
the person being stopped or detained has or is about to commit a
crime or is currently presenting a threat to the safety of
themselves or others.
We want to do the right thing:
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office respects the dignity and rights of all persons and will protect the
fundamental rights of all citizens to equal protection under the law and to
be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, as provided by the Constitution of the United States.
Biased Based Profiling:
The selection of individuals based solely on a trait common to a group for enforcement action.
This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnic background, gender, sexual
orientation, religion, economic status, age, cultural group, or any other identifiable group
We use accepted investigative tools:
Profiling, in and of itself, can be a useful tool to assist law enforcement personnel in carrying out their duties,
to include the investigation of criminal activity and subsequent arrest, as well as asset seizure and
forfeiture efforts. Biased based profiling, however, is the selection of individuals based solely on a common trait
of a group as defined in this order.
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office does not condone and will not allow the use of biased based profiling in its
enforcement programs, to include investigations both instant and on-going, as well as subsequent arrest
and asset seizure and forfeiture.
Manatee County Sheriff's Office personnel will focus on a person's conduct or other specific suspect information supported
by articulated facts which indicate that the person is, has, or is about to commit a crime, or is presenting
a threat to the safety of themselves or others.
All official agency investigations will be carried out in accordance with established policies.
Bias Based Profiling Complaints:
Any person may file a complaint with this agency if they feel that they have been stopped, detained, or searched based
solely on a biased based profile.
No person will be discouraged, intimidated, or coerced from filing such a complaint, or discriminated against because
they have filed such a complaint.
For information on this policy contact Professional Standards at:
Professional Standards
600 301 Boulevard West
Suite 202
Bradenton, FL 34205
941-747-3011 Ext 2020 or 2021
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
By mail at:
Professional Standards
Manatee County Sheriff's Office Operations Center
600 US Highway 301 Boulevard West
Bradenton, 34205
Related Links: