State Representative
Rich Stanek

(ST. PAUL) Legislation introduced by State Representative Rich Stanek (R-Maple Grove) to address the problem of racial profiling has cleared its first hurdle toward becoming law. The Crime Prevention Committee of the House of Representatives passed the legislation (House File 505) with a bipartisan 14-4 vote on March 6.

"This vote sends a strong message that we are ready to confront racial profiling in the state of Minnesota," said Rep. Stanek. "I am very pleased with this result, and I am eager to move forward."

The legislation institutes training for law enforcement agencies to recognize racial profiling and abolish it if they see it occurring. It requires the state board of peace officer standards and training to establish an anti-racial profiling policy that must be adopted by agencies throughout Minnesota. The legislation also gives supervisors and manager additional tools to detect racial profiling, and it establishes regional seminars for officers to attend to learn how to prevent the practice.

"As law enforcement professionals, we owe it to our officers, our community and the policing profession to take the lead in addressing the issue of racial profiling, whether it be perceived or real," said Stanek, a 17-year police veteran. "We have come too far in developing trusting relationships to see much of it lost by the possible misconduct of a few officers. Police need to work closer with the community to prevent crime and find real solutions to the social disorder that contributes to crime. Officers must accept the challenge to prove their integrity and look for every opportunity to improve their performance."

House File 505 now moves to the Judiciary Finance Committee for its consideration.

Rep. Stanek serves District 33B in the House of Representatives. He is the chair of the Judciary Finance Committee and also serves on the Crime Prevention Committee, the Civil Law Committee and the Ways and Means Committee.

###