On a daily basis our local police officers help make our community safer. They stop drunk drivers, they "put away" criminals, but since when do they beat suspects almost to their death? Rodney King (Black man) was speeding one night, when police stopped him; he was beaten savagely by four police officers that stopped him. A resident nearby was filming the beating. The next day he gave the tape to the media. In a few days, the news of the four officers beating Rodney King was all over the world. The King case was in 1991. But officers still doing this today for instance this YouTube video shows it still is happening.
The opportunities for polices to racial profile is becoming a greater problem in the united states every day. We have laws that are meant to protect the minorities from racial profiling. What I would like to see happen is the police officers that are falling into the category of racial profiling be reproached, and for local government to give the American people their right to be protected from racial profiling. I believe police officers need to be held accountable and responsible for their conduct, making sure that their behavior advances the goals of their department. We can assume police officers work under conditions of low visibility and high decision, which provide them with a great deal of leeway to make decisions. In return, police officer must be able to explain and justify their decisions if they are questioned by supervisors or members of the community. It is the perception of most police officials that in most agencies a small number of officers may be responsible for a large share of the actions that community members perceive as racially biased.
What can citizen do if they are racial profile by a police officer?
The Civil Rights attorneys advised the following:
Know your rights: you are not required to give permission to police officer to search your car. You can deny the request - but do so politely.
Do not argue: the police may try to intimidate you. Do not be confrontational and provoke an argument.
Get the names of the officers: be sure to get their badge numbers, squad car number, license plate number, and make a note of the location and time of day.
File a complaint if you feel you have been mistreated: contact the ACLU or other civil rights organizations for legal advice
Sources: Oxford English Dictionary http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/157083?redirectedFrom=racial%20profiling#eid27239881
Your Rights: What To Do If You're Stopped By Police, Immigration Agents or the FBI http://www.aclu.org/drug-law-reform-immigrants-rights-racial-justice/know-your-rights-what-do-if-you
YouTube: http://youtu.be/kOaf1UFtDhQ