November 17, 2011

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced that he is co-sponsoring a bill to ban law enforcement from using racial profiling in Nevada and around the country. The End Racial Profiling Act of 2011(ERPA) is designed to enforce the constitutional right of equal protection under the law by eliminating the policies and procedures that can lead to racial profiling.

“Racial profiling has no place in our law enforcement,” Reid said. “Our law enforcement officials who put their lives on the line every day handle their jobs with professionalism, diligence, and fidelity to the rule of law. It’s imperative that they use their scarce resources for real law enforcement that targets those who engage in criminal activity, not one group of people based on their race, ethnicity, or national origin. I will continue working to build support for this crucial legislation while also working to create jobs and turn the economy around.”

The End Racial Profiling Act of 2011 would:

• Prohibit racial profiling;
• Mandate training on racial profiling issues;
• Withhold federal law enforcement funding if local and state governments failed to adopt effective policies that prohibit racial profiling;
• Provide grants for the development and implementation of best policing practices that discourage racial profiling; and
• Require the Attorney General to report on ongoing discriminatory profiling practices

BACKGROUND

Reid co-sponsored similar legislation in 2004 called the End Racial Profiling Act of 2004.

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