Watch CBS News

SJPD Changes Police Handbook To Deter Racial Profiling

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - The San Jose Police Department is taking steps to ensure that officers are not unfairly profiling members of the public.

A change in wording described as "huge" by independent San Jose Police Auditor LaDoris Cordell has been made to the official police handbook.

The change further defines what racial profiling is. Now instead of just race or gender, it is a violation for officers to show any biased behavior at any time during an encounter with the public.

Minority leader Richard Konda, executive director with the Asian Law Alliance, said this is a good first step by the new Police Chief Chris Moore.

KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:

"The chief is really doing his best to really make efforts to change the way the police interact with the public," said Konda.

The changes were prompted in part by accusations that San Jose Police officers use overly-aggressive street policing and racial profiling.

According to the Mercury News, the department has investigated 150 claims of racial profiling or other bias in the past four years, with no officers ever found to be in the wrong.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.