Police Bias, Research Paper Example

Introduction

The law is essential in ensuring that the society does not experience anarchy. Despite the existence of law, it is ineffective when there are no mechanisms to facilitate its implementation into the society. The police are instrumental in ensuring that these laws are the basis through which the society functions. This is evident in America whereby the police force is synonymous with law enforcement. Despite the numerous accolades directed towards the American police, there is a blemish associated with their mandate, which is racially, biased policing. When considering that America is a racially diverse nation, the country has a cocktail of races. The American constitution provides liberties and protections to all the races, in the American society. Despite this, racial minorities including the blacks and Hispanics face unwarranted attention from the police. This is experienced during arrests, searches and polices stops. This actuality has attracted the interest of criminologists who have attempted to determine the cause for racial bias by the police, on the racial minorities in America (Smith and  Alpert, 2012). This perspective will provide a rationale for this occurrence in the American society hence facilitate the identification of strategies and solutions to remedy the injustice.

It is a common scenario to witness individuals from the minority races in the U.S., namely the black and Hispanic being handled in an overly aggressive manner by the police. This is the case during arrests, police checks and searches (Fridell & Scott, 2001).  This is despite the principles of equality and social liberties, which are synonymous with the country. This actuality has contributed in the formulation of numerous premises in order to explain this disparity. Despite the issue being dismissed by some parties as a public relations issue, it contravenes the liberties of the racial minorities. This means that the protection of the liberties of this demographic should not be considered an inconvenience, but as a duty of the police.  This means that it is essential for the police to reevaluate their operations to ensure that they are not discriminatory to the minorities.

One of the strategies, which the police should employ, includes changing perceptions of the police about these racial groups. The public should also be encouraged to view the police positively as opposed to distrust and negative perception. This will break the stereotypes, which lead to racial profiling. The police force should also facilitate supervision of its operations. This will increase accountability when there is discrimination. The recruitment process of the forces should also be inclusive of the minority groups, hence reduce racial prejudice (Fridell & Scott, 2001). Education and training should also be used to ensure that the police are impartial and professional in their mandate. The police should also implement a policy to address the issue of policing bias and be involved in community outreaches among the minority communities to create a healthy relationship.

In order for the aforementioned strategies to be successful, it is essential that the police department is dedicated to embracing the recommendations. It is also essential that the community is involved in the reform process. The police should effect the changes from within moving outwards. This will ensure that their perceptions are positive in the long term.

Conclusion

Racially biased policing is an actuality in the America. This means that individuals from the racial minorities are denied their liberties by the agency, which should protect them. When considering this, it is imperative that the force reevaluate its approach by implementing several strategies to ensure there is no bias. This will ensure that individuals from the minorities experience their rights especially in the hands of the police. The police should also encourage spending. Through this action, cases of discriminations will reduce.

References

Fridell L & Scott M. (2001).law Enforcement Agency responses to Racially Biased Policing and Perceptions of Its Practices. Police Executive Research Forum. Washington DC.

Smith R., M &  Alpert P., G. (2012). Explaining Police Bias A Theory of Social Conditioning and Illusory Correlation. University of South Carolina.