Introduction
Racial profiling refers to a form of discrimination by which law enforcement officials target an individual based on race or ethnic background as the main reason for targeting the individual. This is a violation of civil rights and it may lead to negative relations between individuals and law enforcement officials. Racial profiling occurs when a law enforcement officer has prejudice and is biassed towards a certain race or ethnic group (Napolitano, 2011). This essay is a short summary on racial profiling by police and the effects it has on society and individuals who are discriminated against.
Issues arising from Racial Profiling
Law Enforcement Concerns
Law enforcement officers are concerned that it will pose a national threat since the real culprits and criminals may not be arrested. In addition, some law enforcement personnel may fail to report their colleagues who engage in racial profiling based on race. This is likely to negatively affect the effectiveness of the law enforcement sector as a whole. This can be solved by proper training and counseling (Napolitano, 2011).
Racial profiling also affects the citizens of a nation as a whole. Discrimination of the minority by the police is likely to draw negative sentiments from the public thus creating a bad police image. It has been shown that persistent racial profiling has led to the affected parents training their children how to behave around policemen so that they do not get arrested (Napolitano, 2011).
Mistrust Issues
When the police engage in racial profiling mistrust between the public and the police arises. The causes of such mistrust may be due to poor communication between law enforcement individuals and community members due to the police not giving a proper explanation for stopping individuals (Napolitano, 2011). It has also been shown that the community at large may engage in racial profiling especially when a given minority group is viewed in a negative light, for instance, by being linked to terrorism (Napolitano, 2011).
Racial profiling may lead to family separation in the case where family members are locked away for a long time and accused of criminal activities they may have not committed.
Arguments on Racial Profiling
There have been mixed reactions to the issue of racial profiling. Some schools of thought have come out clearly to support racial profiling by the police. They argue that racial profiling helps to identify criminals. According to them, it prevents illicit drug activities and it helps to stop terrorism activities (Laney, 2004). However, I strongly disagree, I am of the opinion that a person’s race or ethnicity can not determine whether that person is more or less likely to be a perpetrator of criminal activities. Racial profiling will only allow terrorists to go unpunished and on the other hand allow an innocent citizen to continue being oppressed.
Others believe that racial profiling is not only ineffective and unjust but also a violation of individuals’ rights. The fact that the majority of the communities are not targeted by policemen while the minorities seem always to be a police target is a clear indication that criminals who are from the communities not targeted will not be easily apprehended by the police. Law enforcement officers need to be trained on how to balance the rights of an individual and public safety to ensure that they do not violate the rights of citizens and at the same time ensure that national security is maintained (Laney, 2004).
Negative effects of Racial Profiling
There is a bad relationship created between enforcement officers and members of the target community. Past experiences that community members nay has undergone in the hands of the police will ruin the relationship between the community and the police. Profiling injustices may include harassment, embarrassments and violation of the privacy of individuals (Lever, 2005). Racial profiling by the police may be extended to other areas for instance in healthcare. If the police create an image that a given class of people is troublesome and more likely to commit crimes then the general public is likely to avoid relating with such people.
It has been shown that the disproportionate arresting of minorities is very evident. Police have been shown to be keen on some communities at the expense of other communities and as a result, there have been more arrests in minority communities and fewer arrests in majority communities. According to research, there is no link between crime and ethnicity. Police should therefore not focus all their efforts on a few minorities rather, they should focus their efforts on the whole nation to uphold national security.
Racial profiling leads to unpleasant and bitter feelings associated with past experiences. Holmes says that the students who have been arrested by the law enforcement officers were very bitter (Holmes, 2011). This is because police were not courteous enough to treat them well and to explain to them what was happening. The affected members feel that the police violate their rights instead of protecting them.
Possible Remedies
There should be a well-publicized complainant process where the interest of both parties will be considered. This will prevent biased police arrests of innocent citizens based on race. It will also ensure that the civil rights of the individual in question are upheld (Napolitano, 2011).
Educating the public on what they should do incase they are stopped by the police. People should be educated on how to friendly interact with the police instead of always viewing the police as enemies. This will help to reduce the risk of misunderstanding and thereafter being arrested (Napolitano, 2011).
Mediators and counselors intervention can be used as a tool to solve the problem of mistrust. Mistrust is a key factor that causes racial profiling. Mediators can come in and facilitate negotiations between the affected communities and the police. This will be in interest of both parties. Counselors can assist the entire enforcement body to be more professional and as they carry out their tasks. They may also help certain individual, to change their perception about certain communities. This could help the law enforcement body to build its confidence in the public (Napolitano, 2011).
According to Arizona Attorney General, policies and procedures can be used to guide law enforcement personnel. In addition, policies that define the right action to be taken on people who are practicing racial profiling should be adopted (Napolitano, 2011).
Provision of training should also be considered. They law enforcement officers should be trained on the right and recommended procedures, cultural differences and different languages. Racial profiling education should also be added to the school education curriculum to teach students on how to interact with police officers (Napolitano, 2011).
Law enforcement agencies should reflect diversity. Diversity should be practiced when it comes to recruitment by ensuring that minorities are represented. They should also ensure that officers are rotated as this will foster better understanding of different communities (Napolitano, 2011).
Use of technology to eliminate racial profiling can also be an effective tool. Law enforcement personnel can use technological devices such as audio or video technological devices to record traffic stop and passenger search occurrences. However, some people oppose this idea of using technology as they see it as invasion to privacy (Laney, 2004). I strongly believe that every technology has its pros and cons and so this should not prevent law enforcement officers from using it.
Collection of data that may assist in protection of identity of individuals especially when one is arrested. Data on individual’s race and ethnicity, the reason why they have been stopped and location of the arrest should be collected. This data can then be analyzed and if well analyzed they will be able to indentify criminals (Laney, 2004).
Conclusion
Racial profiling should and must be eradicated within law enforcement agencies. Government should indentify the root problem to racial profiling and seek recommendation so that it can be eradicated. In addition, the government should come up with laws to protect violation of minorities’ rights by law enforcement officers. Every individual should also oppose racial profiling since it is illegitimate form of law enforcement. Law enforcement body should also train their personnel on how to balance the rights of an individual and public safety for the interest of both the citizen and the government. The police need to be offered more training on identifying of criminals instead of just relying on arresting people who they suspect they are likely to commit crime.
References
Holmes, R. (2011). Racial Profiling and Terrorism. Yale National Initiative. Web.
Laney, G. (2004). Racial Profiling: Issues and Federal Legislative Proposals and Options. University of Maryland. Web.
Lever, A. (2005). Why Racial Profiling Is Hard to Justify: A Response. Alever. Web.
Napolitano, J. (2011). Racial Profiling. Azag. Web.