Racial Profiling

Case Study # 100162

Criminology
Law

Racial Profiling

This paper analyzes the racial profiling policy of the Los Angeles Police Department.

2,738 words () | 6 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper examines the use of racial profiling by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in order to identify the consequences of this controversial policy. The paper discusses the criticism that racial profiling is unconstitutional as well as the arguments that it is a valuable, realistic tool for law enforcement departments. The paper investigates the influence of longtime Chief Daryl Gates on the structure, practices and procedures of the LAPD and portrays the institutionalized racism present. The paper concludes that although police should be able to use racial profiling, they should be cautious in its application and restrict its use to situations involving compelling reasons.

Outline:
Executive Summary
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From the Paper:

"The general goal of this case study is to examine and analyze the use of racial profiling by the Los Angeles Police Department, and to identify the consequences of this controversial policy. Racial profiling has gained support over the last fifteen years in Los Angeles and many other large cities, and first emerged during the highly publicized explosion of the use and selling of crack cocaine in scores of inner-city neighborhoods in the 1980's, which bolstered the perception by some observers that crimes involving drugs are primarily an African American problem--even though statistics showed most cocaine users were white."

Sample of Sources Used:

Barstow, David, and Kocieniewski, David. (October 12, 1996). "Records Show New Jersey Police Knew of Racial Profiling in 1996." The New York Times.
Daley, Edward. (June 10, 1996). "Police Power to Stop Motorists Upheld." USA Today.
Garber, Andrew. (June 16, 2000). "Councilman Wants City Policy Against Racial Profiling." Seattle Times.
Gates, Daryl F. (1992). Chief: My Life in the LAPD. New York: Bantam Books.
Malley, Lawrence. (2006). "Pro & Con: Racial Profiling or Good Police Work ?" IntellectualCapital.com. Online. Available: http://www.intellectualcapital.com/ issues/issue245/item5246.asp. 4 November 2006.