Biased Policing

Any person may file a complaint with the Department if they feel that a Miami Shores Police Officer has violated departmental policy.  No person shall be discouraged, discriminated against, intimidated, or coerced from filing such a complaint.  All complaints are thoroughly investigated and the person filing the complaint will be notified of the outcome.

For further questions about complaint and internal investigation procedures, or if you would like to commend our dedicated employees, please contact the Miami Shores Police Department at (305) 759-2468.  You may also respond to the lobby of the Miami Shores Police Department and request to speak with a supervisor.  Complaints may be filed in person, by mail, electronic mail or by telephone.

Biased policing in traffic contacts, field contacts, searches and seizures and in asset seizures and forfeiture efforts, or in any other manner is strictly prohibited.

Investigative detentions, traffic stops, arrests, searches, and property seizures by officers will be based on a standard of reasonable suspicion or probable cause in accordance with the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article 1, Declaration of Rights – Section 12 of the Florida Constitution.  Officers must be able to articulate specific facts and circumstances that support reasonable suspicion or probable cause for investigative detentions, traffic stops, arrests, non-consensual searches, and property seizures.

Biased policing is the inappropriate consideration of specified characteristics when enforcing the law or providing police service.  This includes, but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, political status, disability, religion, or any other identifiable group.

It is the policy of the Miami Shores Police Department to patrol in a proactive manner, to investigate suspicious persons and/or circumstances, and to enforce motor vehicle laws.  Persons having contact with members of this agency shall be treated in a fair, impartial, equitable and objective manner, in accordance with law and without consideration of their individual demographics.