Chief Jon Belmar says he welcomes the UCLA researchers’ input and hopes the department will be able to improve practices regarding unbiased policing.

“We want to know, for example, that we’re strictly adhering to the laws and best practices, especially when it comes to special enforcement and hot spot policing,” Belmar said Sunday. “We want to make sure we’re not stopping people based solely on their race.”

The Center for Policing Equity has provided guidance to 44 communities across the country, including Las Vegas and Denver.

“We meet with the chiefs as well as the patrol officers to get an idea of what’s going on in the department from the bottom up,” said Meredith Smiedt, the group’s executive director. “We really are unbiased and we’re able to take an honest look and give honest feedback.”

Smiedt said the group’s researchers also interview residents, police union representatives, business owners and community groups to explore their relationships with police. She said the study is likely to require numerous visits to the department over several months.