DES MOINES, Iowa - The Des Moines City Council could pass an anti-racial profiling ordinance at its meeting Monday.
A proposal included in Monday's agenda bans biased policing and racial profiling. It states that employees must provide equal services to all people.
It also directs employees to not consider individual demographics or use derogatory language, and requires reasonable suspicion or probable case for any police action.
The proposal further outlines procedures for filing a complaint of police bias or racial profiling. It states that all employees will get training to prevent bias and profiling while conducting police activities.
Officers who violate the code could be fired. Complaints of police bias or racial profiling would be handled by the department's Office of Professional Standards (OPS) or the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission. The Civil and Human Rights Commission would not have jurisdiction to investigate violations, but would assist citizens with their complaints.
City Council meetings are now being held through Zoom as Des Moines City Hall remains closed over the COVID-19 pandemic. Monday's meeting is expected to be widely viewed.