NCJ Number
191784
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 49 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2001 Pages: 94-101
Editor(s)
Ed Sanow
Date Published
April 2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article highlights events and actions that are occurring throughout the country to increase the visibility of racial profiling in police work, particularly vehicle stops, and influence the public perception regarding its pervasiveness.
Abstract
The Federal Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act of 2000 includes provision for data collection on racial profiling by Federal law enforcement officers. It also establishes a task force on law enforcement oversight and designates funding to investigate police misconduct. Eight States have enacted laws that include such data collection. Legislation that bans ticket "quotas" by prohibiting police officials from evaluating or penalizing officers for failing to meet quotas has been passed in California and Texas. One potential solution to the problem of racial profiling is to bring lawsuits under Federal civil rights statutes and the Equal Protection Clause. Some examples of such suits are provided in this article. In the face of the various opinions regarding data collection on traffic stops, law enforcement agencies are proactively responding to the data requirements of this emerging issue. Police agencies are engaging in expanded racial and cultural diversity instruction for all personnel. Proactive actions also include the strict enforcement of internal policies regarding discrimination.