The US government issued new guidance today that prohibits federal law enforcement agencies from using factors such as religion or national origin as a basis for action.
The US Department of Justice expressed hope that the new measures will be a model for action in local services as well, especially since recent protests have called into question the role of race in policing after two white police officers were not indicted for the murders of unarmed black men.
Human rights organizations welcomed the new measures, but also expressed regret that the instructions make an exception in the case of checks at airports and border crossings, as well as because they are not binding on police services at the local and federal levels.
The new guidance builds on a ban on using race as a factor in suspect profiles introduced in 2003.
Human rights activists alleged that the rules left many loopholes that allowed for exceptions when it comes to national security or border screening.
It has also been criticized for not prohibiting consideration of factors other than race or ethnicity.
Although the new guidelines, which have been in the works for five years, were not issued in response to the recent deaths of unarmed black men after police action, they were released at a time when there is an ongoing uproar in the US over police standards of use of force, justice, race and the treatment of minors.
Justice Minister Eric Holder said that in light of recent incidents at the local level, it is imperative that everything possible be done to ensure sound policing practices.
Protests erupted across the US after a grand jury in Ferguson did not indict a police officer who killed an unarmed 18-year-old black man, as well as a few days later when a jury in New York did not indict a police officer who choked a 43-year-old illegal drug dealer during an arrest. a cigarette on the street.
The new Justice Department guidance covers federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The rules specifically state when agents can consider racial, ethnic and other factors in solving a crime or security threat.
Bonus video:
