Working with the Humboldt County Sheriff to recognize racial profiling

On Saturday, September 21st, 20 everyday Iowans delivered a message to the Humboldt Police Department: our community won’t stand for racial profiling.

The 20 people present delivered a letter at the Humboldt Police Station requesting a meeting with the Humboldt Chief of Police (who is also the Sheriff). The action was in response to a number of complaints from Humboldt community members stating that a cop has been racially profiling members of the Latino community.

According to the complaints, the cop had been pulling Latinos over (despite no traffic violation) just to ask for their licenses. The cop has pulled people over on bikes, in cars, and sometimes just drives around the predominantly Latino neighborhood in Humboldt – causing many to feel threatened and intimidated in their own homes. Following the action, the Chief of Police/ Sheriff reached out to schedule a meeting regarding the issue.

On Wednesday, October 9th, CCI and community members hosted a packed meeting with the Chief of Police/ Sheriff, the City Adminstrator, and other officials. Over 40 community members showed up to share their experiences being profiled by the officer.

Community members demanded that the Sheriff work with the community to end the officer's racial profiling. Though the sheriff didn't view the stops as racially motivated, he agreed to work with the community to solve the problem. The sheriff went on to say, "I don't have anything against the Latino community. I know you all come here to work hard - and we appreciate it."