Do police pull people over due to social inequalities and racial profiling?  Why?
461854
It has to do with statistics and stereotypes. Statistically, afro-americans are more prone to crime due to poor social and economic conditions... and those social and economic conditions are enhanced by criminality - it's a very vicious circle.\n\nPolice officer are over-suspicious with minorities because of those statistics. hence a stereotype is made... and unfortunately that very stereotype produces a hostile reaction from those communities towards the law and authorities, ehancing their proning to criminality towards a system to which they dont belong... thus reinforcing the stereotype that minorities are crime-prone...\n\nI would advise you to watch the movie " Crash", it gives a very accurate picture of the situation
936591
No, there is no quota.  Police Officers don't have quotas b/c that would just put pressure on them to ticket someone who was innocent and didn't commit a crime.
965128
i think you are correct and it is getting to that point, the police in my opinion have way to much leeway!! the other day, i was in a car with my friend who was speeding, she got pulled over and the officer wanted my ID also!!! why, i was not driving the car, i did not break the law at all, yet if i don't turn over my ID i can go to jail for failure to provide ID. this is terrible and i feel it is not right.
898741
They need more probable cause than a nervous look. Proving a civil rights violation can be very difficult unless you can document the cop's action.
954930
Yes to an extent, what is commonly refered to as racial profiling makes sense (when not abused). For example: \nA car load of black or hispanic kids are rolling around a lets say mostly white upscale neighborhood at 3 am,plates get run, and it's pretty obvious they don't live in the area and may be up to no good I believe is an acceptable type of profiling.\n I will say the same for a car load of suburban white boys driving around the hood,in high drug areas etc. That contrary to popular belief is also profiling.   Crime needs to be controlled and I dont personally see it as a violation of ones right's to be stopped when they are deemed to be suspicous.  Of course people will call me racist etc, but to an open mind what I just stated makes sense and is fair.
91118
Racial profiling has no benefits. The statistics may be very useful but "profiling", NOT!
415004
Racial Profiling: A Police Manager’s Perspective\n\nRacial profiling is one of the most complex and controversial issues facing law enforcement professionals today. It is an issue that provokes impassioned debate and extensive division within all segments of the community. Whether racial profiling by police officers is a matter of perception or reality loses significance when considering the widespread public belief in its existence and the subsequent liability for law enforcement agencies that encounter allegations of racial profiling.\nThe practice of racial profiling has no place in law enforcement. It is an activity that undermines the public trust vital for an effective community policing organization. Police must be perceived as both providers of public safety and deferential to the civil liberties of those they have sworn to protect and serve. While the majority of police officers serve their communities in a professional and ethical manner, the debate over the reality of racial profiling as a practice in law enforcement is loudest on the side of its existence on a national level. In fact, a 1999 Gallup Poll reveals that 60% of Americans polled believe racial profiling exists. To restore public trust and improve community/police relationships, law enforcement agencies must address both the concerns of the community at large that are relevant to discriminatory policing, and the allegations of racial profiling made by ordinary citizens.\n\nWhat is Racial Profiling?\n\nAn agreed upon definition of racial profiling is almost as controversial as the practice itself. For example, S.989, legislation currently being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee and commonly referred to as the “End Racial Profiling Act of 2001,” defines racial profiling as the practice of a law enforcement agent relying, to any degree, on race, ethnicity, or national origin in selecting which individuals to subject to routine investigatory activities, or in deciding upon the scope and substance of law enforcement activity following the initial routine investigatory activity, except that racial profiling does not include reliance on such criteria in combination with other identifying factors when the law enforcement agent is seeking to apprehend a specific suspect whose race, ethnicity, or national origin is part of the description of the suspect. Opponents of this legislation consider this too broad a definition encouraging the idea of profiling by police for malevolent motives and adding more confusion and conflict to this incendiary issue even as police executives attempt to develop policies for the effective management and eradication of this practice.\n\nA more common sense definition subscribed to by many police administrators maintains that racial profiling is the use of race as the “sole” basis for a stop. A number of states, including California, have adopted the definition of racial profiling as the practice of detaining a suspect based on a broad set of criteria that casts suspicion on an entire class of people without any individualized suspicion of the particular person being stopped.\n\n\nFurther complicating any conformity of definition in identifying the activity of racial profiling is the distinction made by some activists, including Heather McDonald, a writer for the Manhattan Institute, between “hard profiling” (use of race as the only factor in determining the likelihood of criminal conduct) and “soft profiling” (use of race as one factor among others in assessing the propensity for criminal behavior). Where there is a consensus of agreement concerning this issue is that the practice of racial profiling not only violates the fundamental principles of a democratic society but also is illegal and morally wrong.\n\nIn view of the current social environment and to limit civil liability often associated with allegations of racial profiling, law enforcement agencies must first develop written policies specifically p
841017
Black people do not "always" play the race card when something bad happens. But when three unarmed men are shot at 51 times by police, it is entirely reasonable to ask if race played a role, as it has so often before in unjustified police shootings. And the reason we care is because we know that if it could happen to them, it could happen to us. Is that clear enough for you to understand?\n\nAnd since you say the men were "hardly model citizens," why don't you tell us what you know about them that supports that claim. All I've heard is that they were at a club and they left and were set upon by plain clothed cops who may or may not have identified themselves.
624359
Absolutely not! I am a police officer and I tell you that I would much rather prefer that everyone just obey the laws. When I make an arrest, depending on the circumstances, there are hours of paperwork, reports that have to be written, follow-up information to be gathered, court appearances, and countless hours of missed sleep (when you have to go to court, but work night shift).\n\nUsually the people that make these sort of comments are the ones that are breaking the law or hang out with the ones breaking the law. If you behave, I have no reason to mess with you. If you don't, you better believe I will do what needs to be done. It's that simple.
1015883
This is a major problem in Phoenix.  Most of the offenders are very young drivers.  Often they have their windows tinted darker than the law allows.  Some have various other issues with their vehicles that make them illegal to drive on the street.\n\nI have tried writing elected officials, but they don’t answer.  I decided to ask a police officer.  This is what he said:  If the person is not committing a crime that may harm someone, then the police will likely not pull them over.  Why?  It is simple.  The offenders usually fit the profile of the types that will not pay their fines anyway.  Thus there is no good reason to stop them because it will not bring in any revenue.
757203
Uh, you're kidding, or being facetious right?\n\nLaw enforcement personnel are sworn to uphold the law.  To degrade oneself by stooping to levels that perpertrators do makes any officer partaking in "street justice" a criminal, and therefore not truly an officer of the law, and not worthy to carry a badge.  \n\nThe court system is not perfect, but it's what we got.  When citizens get tired enough of youthful offenders stealing their hard earned belongings or assaulting them and begin to petition the law makers, then the court system may finally begin to work the way we all hope.  \n\nAny adult, police officer or otherwise, who takes out physical justice on an intellectually and emotionally immature person...read juvenile (sorry folks, that's what they are) are cowards.  Part of L.E. is rehab.  Cops aren't just about putting people in jail, they also assist in programs to help kids stay out of trouble.
562347
I think the answer depends on your intent. If your a security guard and your paying special attention to blacks out of fear, hate, or dislike. Then racism is probably at play. Security guards should be watching people based on  suspicous behaviour and body language associated with shoplifting.
164740
Have you ever been driving and seen an old POS car and and just know that person is driving without insurance? That's how it works. Sometimes you can just look at a person and know they are up to no good, especially if it is your job. So what, you get checked out by the police. If you're legit, no problem. The only ones with a problem are those up to no good. Racial profiling is just a term cooked up by some ACLU lawyers. Profiling is another tool used by law enforcement to keep order in our society. Why not spend more effort complaining about the criminals in our country than protecting them.
621331
Yes you do have officers out there that are racist. Its sad that you can not even trust the people out there that are supposed to protect you. But if you think about it, everyone is racist in their own little way. Some just do not even notice it. Racism is sad though and we should all look at each other the same way. People are kinda like crayons...\n\nThey come in different shapes, sizes, and colors but we all still have to live in the same box
397538
I don't really think that the police do not do enough by choice.  I think it is because the liberals are so concerned with the rights of the criminals, the police are seriously bogged down in rules and regulations, while the criminals just do whatever they want to.  They get accused of "harassing" "innocent" people "just because they are hanging with known criminals". Well, news flash - if you know someone is a criminal, you know they have hurt innocent people, and you are hanging with them and acting like it's cool with you, you are NOT innocent.  You are aiding the criminal.  Any time there is a car chase, the police, not the criminals, are blamed by the ignorant liberals who do not comprehend that the cops were doing their job chasing the criminal, and that the criminal was the one causing the danger by fleeing.
945346
Yes it is Alex B, and people are arrested for it quite frequently, it is also probable cause for a police officer to pull you over and search your vehicle looking for other doobies you may have forgotten to throw out.
303106
Police anywhere need probable cause to pull you over. But it can be over something simple. You car looks like one that has been stolen, your tail light is out, you're speeding.... MOST cops are actually just doing their jobs and not trying to be jerks about it. But you have a few who take the job to their head. There are also situations where they are looking for someone or something and they can pull cars over at random for searches. But I believe they have to tell you if thats the case.