Racial Profiling  

The Wharton Police Department has established a policy concerning the prohibition of racial profiling as set out in state and federal laws concerning racial profiling and discriminatory practices in general. Discrimination in any form, including racial profiling, is strictly prohibited and the department will take immediate and appropriate action to investigate allegations of discrimination. This policy applies to members of the Wharton Police Department both classified and nonclassified. What is Racial Profiling? Racial profiling is any law enforcement initiated action based on an individual’s race, ethnicity, or national origin rather than on the individual’s behavior or information identifying the individual as having engaged in criminal activity. 

Examples of racial profiling include but are not limited to the following:

• Initiating a traffic stop on a particular vehicle because of the race, ethnicity, or national origin of the driver of a vehicle
• Stopping or detaining the driver of a vehicle based on the determination that a person of that race, ethnicity, or national origin is unlikely to own or possess that specific make or model of vehicle
• Stopping or detaining an individual based on the determination that a person of that race, ethnicity, or national origin does not belong in a specific part of town or a specific place.

Data Reporting 
Personnel designated by the Chief of Police will compile and place into a report format all incidents concerning racial profiling. The Chief of Police shall disseminate this data as required by statute. 

Complaint Process
The department shall accept complaints from any person who believes he or she has been stopped, searched, or inappropriately ticketed or arrested based on racial profiling. No person shall be discouraged, intimidated, or coerced from filing such a complaint, or discriminated against because he or she filed such complaint. Employees and supervisors shall report any racial profiling practice they observe.

How Do I Make a Complaint? 
Complaints against members of the Wharton Police Department may be made by letter or in person, and under certain circumstances by phone. Keep in mind that anonymous complaints are difficult to investigate. No matter how the complaint is made it is the responsibility of the contacted supervisor to inform the complainant of the proper procedure for filing a complaint. In most circumstances the complaint must be in writing. Complaints can be filed directly at Police Headquarters. The address is 1407 N. Richmond Rd. Ste. 100, Wharton, Texas 77488, telephone number (979) 532-3131.

 

What Happens To My Complaint After It Is Received? 
All complaints received by the department are processed through the Internal Affairs Office. When a complaint is received, it is reviewed to determine the nature of the allegations. The Command Staff investigates the most serious type of complaints. These complaints involve allegations such as excessive force, any discharge of firearms, or criminal activity such as theft. Complaints comparatively less serious in nature, such as rude behavior or improper procedure, are forwarded to the individual employee’s division for investigation. In every case, the person making the complaint will be contacted during the investigation for additional information, and will be notified by mail of the final disposition.