NCJ Number
192748
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 70 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2001 Pages: 24-32
Editor(s)
John E. Ott
Date Published
November 2001
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article explores the historical perspective of the use of race in the law, examines racial profiling and the constitutional challenges under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments, the legitimacy and validity of race when conducting law enforcement activity, and the impact of racial profiling.
Abstract
The issue of racial profiling in today's society has generated significant controversy for law enforcement. Law enforcement officers need to understand the difference between legitimate and illegitimate uses of race when performing their duties. Profiling which is based on officers' training and experience are considered legitimate tools, where action taken by officers on the sole basis of an individual's race is considered illegitimate. While an officer is performing their duty, race or color may be a factor for consideration, but race or color alone is insufficient during a traffic stop or arrest. Today, many law enforcement agencies have been mandated to compile statistics that are used to either support or defend a case. It is absolutely necessary to train individual officers on the legal and practical issues involving claims of racial profiling. It aids in maintaining credibility and preventing civil liability.