Is there a difference between racial profiling and other forms of profiling?

Question

I agree that racial profiling is bad because people make unjust assumptions over someone based on the way they were born. But how is this different then police profiling men vs. women. How is it different from police targeting someone who is poor vs. someone who is rich. Yes you are born into a race but you are also born with many other characteristics that make you a more likely criminal. What I am trying to argue is that ignoring race, sex, apperance is impossible. It will always be a factor as long as men and blacks commit more crimes then whites and women.

What we need to do is let the police know the limits to profiling but let them come up with their own assumptions. Don't promote it but don't attack it. The ACLU is wrong in attacking just racial profiling, if they want to make their case stronger or more legitimate they should attack all forms of inherent profiling (like sex, appearance, hair colour...).

Answer 1

In this politcally correct society, people will say there is, but in reality, it is the same.

Answer 2

I have no real issue with the police being aware of certain traits of certain groups but they go too far when this becomes prejudicial to the facts.

I am personally being denied a constitutional right (equal access to the law) merely because I am married to the criminal. I am "profiled" as either a liar or a "crazy person" because the crime of money laundering is incredibly difficult to prove (privacy laws) and tedious to investigate.

I immediately felt the detective's distate of angry wives in general but EXCUSE ME, I was honest about who I am and how I know these things, I was sincere about my fear of repercussions from the ex or the IRS, and all I wanted was a little respect and concern for my dilemma. For God's sake I was even honest that I AM Angry! Who wouldn't be angry exposed to a white collar crime?

The dectective continued to try & provoke me and actually said to me- "So you wanted to get this cash and he hid it from you?" AND then he went further asking about my past marriages & looking to see if I'm some nut who files false police reports all the time or if I have some criminal background. oh yeah, that's a GREAT way to assist a crime victim!!

Law enforcement has profiled me ONLY on my marital status and no other reason. I'm sorry SOME angry wives lie- but I'm NOT.

Answer 3

No, there is no difference between racial profiling and other types of profiling.

Profiling is a process by which certain known factors are taken into consideration in the assessment of persons by law enforcement officers. Those known factors may be indicators that a crime is in progress or has a high liklihood of being committed.

For example, cops profile vehicle operators for possible drunk drivers by observing how a vehicle is being operated. They apply observation of known behaviors (e.g., weaving, no headlights at night, windows down in cold weather, etc.) and profile those indicators against vehicles *not* displaying them. Vehicles displaying those indicators may be due to a drunk driver and as such lays the groundwork for a "probable cause" vehicle stop for further investigation.

Racial profiling is a volatile societal issue because it is generally regarded as unfair. But, the same application of known behaviors and other factors takes place.

Answer 4

By a retired cop.

I can still remember hearing a BOLO about a suspected robber. He was described as a young black male with blue jeans and a jacket with shiny letters on it.

I had stopped at an apartment type building on another call and encountered a young black male with blue jeans and a jacket with shiny letters on it. He was out of breath as if having just run a distance.

I proceeded to question the young man as to his whereabouts.

Another individual attempted to intervene and accused me of profiling the young man. I separated the two, got the information I deemed appropriate from the man in the shiny lettered jacket and thanked him for his cooperation.

The other individual turned very hostile until I explained the whole situation and pointed out the obvious retort in that it would have been wrong for me to question everybody but perfectly appropriate to question somebody that matched the description of a robbery suspect. I was profiled as a white cop who was picking on blacks! The out of breath young man I encountered was out jogging to stay in shape for his upcoming military enlistment. The other, previously hostile, individual eventually came to be a person that I shared a mutual trust with.

I really get infuriated when I hear about profiling because it is wrong. Good, solid police work of following leads and descriptions is NOT profiling. People need to recognize the fine point I'm trying to make here.

Answer 5

As a 7 time convicted DRUG felon I can tell you profiling is profiling. No diference in any of it. Its basically looking at someone and saying,"I don't like the way he looks or what statement he making with his hair style or mode of dress so I'm going to check him out." This I can tell you when I cut my hair and stopped wearing tye dyed tee shirts I stopped getting busted....