Very Serious Issue of Racial Profiling Essay Example

consequences since African Americans are often victims of police brutality and unjustifiable killings by the police. Therefore, any interaction with the police could potentially end tragically for them. Similarly, Hispanics also experience unfair treatment from law enforcement.

Undocumented Hispanics experience both police brutality and the constant risk of immediate deportation upon discovery. This is especially unfortunate for those who have journeyed long distances in pursuit of citizenship aspirations. The unjust treatment by law enforcement has led to numerous deportations across the United States. Additionally, there is substantial data available that accurately measures the scale of this problem. According to a 2002 national survey conducted by the United States Department of Justice (Source), it was determined that 10.2 percent of African Americans were subjected to traffic stops in the country.

Based on a survey (Source), it was found that Hispanics were stopped 11.4% of the time, while Caucasians were stopped 3.5% of the time. This suggests that police officers primarily target Hispanics and African Americans. Another study conducted by the American Civil Liberties Union in Illinois reveals that even though Hispanics make up less than 8% of the state's population, they accounted for 27% of individuals stopped and searched by a highway drug interdiction unit (Source). This alarming statistic demonstrates that over a fourth of Illinois' Hispanic population underwent stop and search procedures solely due to their ethnicity.

The data collected in New Jersey indicates that African American and Hispanic drivers, who make up only 13.5 percent of all drivers, were subjected to 73.2 percent of stops and searches carried out by the New Jersey State Patrol. These statistics suggest that individuals from these racial backgrounds are primarily targeted

because of their race. Additionally, there are few available remedies to address the issue of racial profiling.

The focus on racial profiling by law enforcement has been brought to the forefront through the Black Lives Matter protests. These demonstrations have shed light on instances of violence and brutality against African Americans, which in turn instills fear within officers. The aim is for these protests to serve as a reminder to law enforcement agencies that mistreating individuals based on their race is not permissible. Ultimately, the primary goal of the Black Lives Matter movement is to raise awareness about the countless innocent African Americans who have lost their lives due to actions taken by the police.

Despite claims of fostering racism towards other races, the main goal of this group is to support African Americans and expose the reality of police brutality. These protests have been crucial in raising awareness nationwide and shedding light on the serious issue within law enforcement. Another effective approach to combat racial discrimination involves collecting data from all cases of racial profiling. As highlighted in a publication called Best practices in vehicle stop data collection and analysis, it is essential to thoroughly comprehend and assess the advantages and disadvantages of gathering and analyzing data on vehicle stops for accurate interpretation of findings (Source).

The collection and analysis of data on vehicle stops is essential for documenting racial profiling, as it provides information about the races that are unfairly targeted. By gathering data in various cities across the United States, the government can identify which cities have a significant problem with racial profiling. Additionally, this data collection promotes greater caution in decision-making by law enforcement

agencies and holds them accountable for targeting non-Caucasian races. As a result, this crucial data enables the government to take control and uncover the root causes behind high rates of racial profiling in specific cities.

In terms of racial profiling, I have some proposed solutions in addition to existing ones. These include implementing more scenario-based training and imposing stricter punishments on law enforcement officers found guilty of racial profiling. Despite comprehensive training, I believe it is necessary to incorporate more scenario-based training specifically addressing racial profiling. The training for aspiring officers should encompass various scenarios involving racial profiling. The amount of training required for new law enforcement officers differs across states, with most completing a minimum of 400 hours of basic training before becoming sworn officers (Source).

My recommendation is to raise the minimum requirement to either 500 or possibly 450. This enhancement would enable more training opportunities concerning racial profiling issues, ultimately leading to a potential reduction in incidents related to racial profiling. Moreover, I suggest offering extra training sessions for all existing officers. These sessions should occur yearly or twice a year for officers who desire ongoing employment. Additionally, in cases where an officer is suspected of participating in racial profiling, it should be mandatory for them to undergo weekly training until the issue is resolved.

If the officer refuses to take part in additional training, it is crucial for the police department to step in and perform a comprehensive investigation into the officer's circumstances. This inquiry should prioritize determining whether or not the officer has been involved in any instances of racial profiling. It is essential that failure to comply with this extra training be

seen as a significant matter of concern within the police department. Additionally, I strongly support implementing stricter punishments for officers who are found guilty of engaging in racial profiling.

The severity of the punishment for racial profiling should be heightened to match the gravity of this offense, including immediate termination from their position for any officer found engaging in any form of racial profiling. Racial profiling is universally deemed unfair and needless in all situations. It is widely recognized that numerous officers evade responsibility for their wrongful actions, leading to minimal or nonexistent repercussions for committing these abhorrent crimes. There have been multiple instances where officers have not faced adequate punishment for their transgressions.

Law enforcement agencies or higher authorities have the potential to significantly decrease the occurrence of racial profiling in the United States through the implementation of more stringent penalties. The issue of racial profiling is undeniably prevalent, particularly impacting African Americans and Hispanics at a disproportionate rate. The phenomenon commonly known as "Driving while black" represents a frequent encounter for African Americans who are unfairly singled out and pulled over by law enforcement while driving on roads or highways (Source). Furthermore, African Americans frequently face racial profiling incidents when falsely accused of theft in shopping malls or convenience stores solely based on their race. Likewise, Hispanics also endure instances of racial profiling in these scenarios but additionally face targeting due to their immigration status.

Law enforcement officers frequently stop and search many undocumented Hispanics in the United States, suspecting them of lacking proper documentation. Regrettably, if found to be undocumented upon arrest, these individuals are promptly deported. These instances of racial profiling demonstrate the magnitude

of this problem. It is important to highlight that African Americans and Hispanics experience a considerably higher rate of stop and search than Caucasians solely due to their race.

Despite the existence of solutions, African Americans and Hispanics continue to be targeted by law enforcement officers. The issue of racial profiling has gained significant attention through the Black Lives Matter protests and data collection efforts. These demonstrations have highlighted the extent of aggression and mistreatment towards African Americans, causing law enforcement to feel concerned and effectively showcasing the widespread severity of racial profiling throughout the United States.

The importance of data collection is that it documents each occurrence of racial profiling in all US cities. This enables higher-level departments to step in and examine cities with high rates of racial profiling cases. Although these measures are somewhat effective, I have proposed two additional solutions to potentially reduce the percentage of racial profiling incidents. Firstly, officers should receive scenario-based training that addresses various situations pertaining to racial profiling. This training approach should be implemented for both current trainees and existing officers. Secondly, harsher penalties should be imposed on officers who are proven guilty or suspected of engaging in racial profiling.

Implementing stricter penalties sends a clear message to law enforcement officials that they can no longer evade responsibility for participating in racial profiling incidents. The elimination of racial profiling from every city and state within the United States is vital, as it involves treating individuals from different races with unjust and harsh treatment.