Tenn. Code Ann. § 38-1-502

This is the official text of Tenn. Code Ann. § 38-1-502, part of Tennessee’s Code Ann — part of the compiled statutory law of Tennessee, published by the state as "Code Ann." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.

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Part definitions

Official statutory text

As used in this part: (1) "Law enforcement agency": (A) Means a lawfully established state or local public agency that: (i) Is responsible for preventing and detecting crime and enforcing laws or local ordinances; and (ii) Has employees who are authorized to make arrests for crimes while acting within the scope of their authority; and (B) Includes an institution considered a "law enforcement agency" pursuant to § 49-7-118 ; and (2) "Racial profiling" means the detention or interdiction of an individual in traffic contacts, field contacts, or asset seizure and forfeiture efforts solely on the basis of the individual's actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Added by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 335,s 1, eff. 5/4/2015.
As used in this part:
(1) "Law enforcement agency": (A) Means a lawfully established state or local public agency that: (i) Is responsible for preventing and detecting crime and enforcing laws or local ordinances; and (ii) Has employees who are authorized to make arrests for crimes while acting within the scope of their authority; and (B) Includes an institution considered a "law enforcement agency" pursuant to § 49-7-118 ; and
(A) Means a lawfully established state or local public agency that: (i) Is responsible for preventing and detecting crime and enforcing laws or local ordinances; and (ii) Has employees who are authorized to make arrests for crimes while acting within the scope of their authority; and
(i) Is responsible for preventing and detecting crime and enforcing laws or local ordinances; and
(ii) Has employees who are authorized to make arrests for crimes while acting within the scope of their authority; and
(B) Includes an institution considered a "law enforcement agency" pursuant to § 49-7-118 ; and
(2) "Racial profiling" means the detention or interdiction of an individual in traffic contacts, field contacts, or asset seizure and forfeiture efforts solely on the basis of the individual's actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, or national origin.
Added by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 335,s 1, eff. 5/4/2015.

Status: in_force

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