Attitudes Toward the Use of Racial/Ethnic Profiling to Prevent Crime and Terrorism

• NCJ Number: 237411
• Journal: Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2011 Pages: 422-447
• Author(s): Devon Johnson; Daniel Brazier; Katrina Forrest; Crispin Ketelhut; Darron Mason; Marc Mitchell
• Date Published: December 2011
• Length: 26 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This research examined attitudes toward the use of racial/ethnic profiling to prevent crime and terrorism.

Abstract

Research indicates that public approval for the use of racial/ethnic profiling to prevent crime is low. In contrast, recent research and polling data suggest the public is more supportive of the use of racial/ethnic profiling to prevent terrorism. Using a survey-based experiment that varies the context for the use of racial/ethnic profiling (to prevent crime or to prevent terrorism), this study examines whether public approval for the use of racial/ethnic profiling by law enforcement officers differs across context. In addition, multivariate analyses examine whether the factors that are associated with support for the use of profiling, including race of respondent, salience of crime and terrorism, perceived racial bias in the justice system, and racial stereotyping, vary across context. (Published Abstract)