January 14, 2009

ATLANTA (AP) -- House Democrats are lining up behind a bill that would ban police officers from racial profiling.

The proposal, introduced Wednesday, would require state and local police departments to begin an annual training program on racial profiling that instructs officers not to use race or ethnicity as a pretext to stop a vehicle. It does, however, allow officers to stop a vehicle to confirm a description of a suspect.

The measure, sponsored by state Rep. Tyrone Brooks of Atlanta, also requires any officer violating the law to take another round of training. It is co-sponsored by four House Democrats.

------
On the Net:
House Bill 53: http://www.legis.ga.gov

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)