The Role Of Racial Profiling In Law Enforcement

Racial profiling has become a worldwide epidemic. Within law enforcement circles and its practices, has become a contentious issue. It occurs every day, in cities and towns across the country, where law enforcement and private security target minorities without evidence of criminal activities. Law enforcement is responsible for humiliating and frightening these groups with: detentions, interrogations, and searches. It can be triggered based on perceived race, ethnicity, origin, or religion. Racial profiling is illegal, violating the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection under the law. Numerous legal debates and personal tensions over the legitimacy of such practices and its’ justifications, have caused notice for restoration and improvement

According to numerous experiments, “analysis have found that racial profiling actually makes police less accurate , not more so in catching criminal activity. (Emily Badger)” Racial profiling causes assumptions on a group of people which changes their outlook within society, and impairs our efforts to remain fair and just. Race-based assumptions within the law enforcement “makes the community less safe… [causing] mistrust that arises in heavily profiled communities, where residents are wary of reporting crime or of cooperating with law enforcement” (Emily

During the 18th century, many minority groups were judged solely on their appearance, these allegations were an effect of black codes which were distributed throughout the US. Black codes kept minority groups from being apart of the "American" life and society; even to present day they are upheld in our law enforcements' practices.

African American are more likely to be terrorized by law enforcement due to stereotypes. African- American, “men appear to have been arrested, transported and detained… without any law enforcement interest in charging them with a crime.. was based on their ethnicity…” (Editorial Board). Racial stereotypes are direct, consistent violations of their rights and the 14th amendment; which states that stating that everyone who is a citizen is equal under the law. “One study shows that approximately 72% of all routine traffic stops on an interstate in Northeast occur with African Americans despite the fact that African Americans make up only 17% of the driving population.” The follow statistics express that the law enforcement alters data they provide to the public, such drastic gaps points fault towards law enforcement. “These guy [security guards] are just a bit worried about your presence in our store. They are worried you might steal something ‘ the Apple staff member says in the video” (Melissa Davey). Minorities are discriminated based on skin