Rep. John DeberryNASHVILLE -- Tennessee police agencies would be required to adopt and implement written policies banning racial profiling under a bill approved and sent to Gov. Bill Haslam by the House today.
The "Racial Profiling Prevention Act," sponsored by Rep. John DeBerry, D-Memphis, passed on a 93-0 vote. Senators passed the measure earlier this session.
It is one of several proposed bills introduced in the Legislature this year in response to last summer's shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., as well as subsequent deaths involving unarmed black suspects by officers across the country.
DeBerry said the bill is intended to "send a message" to everyone "be they white, black red or polka-dotted [that] the people of the state of Tennessee want everyone to be treated justly."
He said "we don't want to be one of those states on television that gives us a black eye."