Reducing Bias in Policing: A Model Approach in Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia has undertaken a unique process to address the issue of bias-based policing. It grew out of a determination to proactively take on this issue, not because the state has experienced any sensational cases of discrimination or biased behavior by law enforcement officers; not due to any highly publicized mistreatment of racial or ethnic minorities leading to a government inquiry; and not because Virginia agencies had been subject to judicial consent decrees. Rather, the effort was begun out of concern by citizens, public officials, and law enforcement leaders about the public’s perception that some law enforcement officers mistreated ethnic and racial minorities. Many citizens believed that bias affected decisions made by law enforcement officers to enforce or not enforce the law.