A colleague makes a biased stop based on race; how should you respond?

• A. Challenge the bias, document concerns, report incident, and seek training to reduce bias and protect rights.
• B. Ignore and continue working.
• C. Publicly criticize the colleague in front of others.
• D. Transfer to a different assignment to avoid involvement.

Answer: (A)

When you witness bias in a stop based on race, the best course is to intervene by challenging the bias, document what happened, report the incident through the proper channels, and pursue training to reduce bias and protect everyone's rights. Challenging bias right away communicates that discriminatory behavior won’t be tolerated and helps ensure the incident is examined seriously. Documenting creates a factual record of observations that can support any review or investigation. Reporting the incident through the right channels ensures it’s handled according to policy, protects the rights of those involved, and promotes accountability. Seeking training equips you with tools to recognize bias, apply fair procedures, and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Ignoring the incident allows harm to continue and can imply complicity. Publicly criticizing the colleague in front of others can escalate conflict and bypass formal processes designed to address such issues. Transferring to another assignment avoids the problem but doesn’t address the biased behavior or protect rights in the current setting. The recommended approach tackles the immediate harm and supports ongoing efforts to reduce bias within the organization.