African American perceptions of police during arrest versus assistance situations

African-American PERCEPTION of POLICE

The proposed study will utilize a number of credible resources to secure information to illuminate concerns and considerations relating to the African-American perception of police. Simultaneously, the proposed study aims to cultivate considerations as how to best combat negative views from both sides of this contemporary, yet seemingly, eternal "issue" that divides races.

African-American PERCEPTION of POLICE

There are those who would keep us slipping back into the darkness of division, into the snake pit of racial hatred, of racial antagonism and of support for symbols of the struggle to keep African-Americans in bondage." - Carol Moseley-Braun (b. 1947), African-American politician. (Columbia, 1996)

The Darkness of Division

Let there be light...," these immortal words, recorded in the book of beginnings in the Bible, Genesis, in chapter 1; verse 3, readily reflect the "message" this researcher's proposed study intends to relate to illuminate concerns and considerations relating to the African-American perception of police. Simultaneously, this researcher hopes to cultivate considerations as how to best combat negative views from both sides of this contemporary, yet seemingly, eternal "issue" that divides races. The statement by Carol Moseley-Braun, a United States Senator from Illinois, introducing this study proposal (published in Newsweek magazine during December 1991), led the Senate to reverse a vote to extend the previously approved patent for a society insignia, incorporating an image of the Confederate flag. Moseley-Braun's poignant phrase, "There are those who would keep us slipping back into the darkness of division," this researcher contents, merits repeating.

Criminologists regularly debate how to answer the question: How much racial profiling or African-Americans actually occurs in the United States? Samuel Walker of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, author of Police Accountability, stresses that it is hard to measure racial profiling, as well as, components contributing to it. Some individuals question whether the percentage of traffic stops for a certain racial group should be compared to that group's percentage in the population or should the measurement equal the percentage of stops vs. The actual driving presence of in particular group in the area where police patrol and initiate stops. When considering the percentage of individuals arrested for a certain crime, should the researchers consider the rate at which others of their race have been previously arrested for the same crime or will that data always be tainted by the racism of police who made the arrests? (Cloud, 2001) Walker suggested that perhaps "the best way to analyze the traffic-stop activity of particular officers is to measure it against the work of other officers pulling comparable shifts." (Cloud, 2001) the cops who disproportionately stop blacks or other minorities presumably could then be easily identified. Although this particular play and sounds appealing, the majority of studies do not collect traffic-stop data on a police-by-police basis.

Although this practice is implemented Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, according to Robert McNeilly Jr., the city's police chief, the habit of reporting this type data can lead to controversy, as random quarter-to-quarter fluctuations in data can produce misleading headlines. McNeilly Jr. posits that a federal auditor consistently find Pittsburgh's police stop minorities' record remains proportion to their all-around presence in the population. (Cloud, 2001) One reportedly common form of "racial profiling occurs when police stop, question, and search African-American, Hispanic-American, or members of other racial minorities disproportionately based solely on the individuals' race or ethnicity." ("Racial Profiling...," 2008) During 1996, ABC television network aired "Driving While Black," a report following three younger black men that ABC paid to drive around the New Brunswick, New Jersey, in a Mercedes-Benz.

During the time, the three African-Americans drove in the city, three policeman pulled the Mercedes-Benz. over for a minor traffic infraction and subsequently began search the car and the young men.

This "experiment" revealed that little doubt existed that the police primarily pulled the three men over because they were African-American. Later, however, the officers filed a defamation suit against ABC. The police claimed ABC defamed their character, as they violated New Jersey's anti-wiretapping law. ANew Jersey Superior Court judge dismissed the policeman's lawsuit in 2000. ("Racial Profiling...," 2008)

Rationale for Study

Divisions and debates relating to racial profiling abound in the U.S. today, as well as, in other countries. As racial profiling continues to be a concern which negatively impacts not only the African-American perception of police, but also the police community as well, this researcher reports that this subject deserves more consideration and exposure. As the proposed study will enlighten leaders and challenge them to consider current choices in this matter, this researcher contends the examination of African-American perception of police proves to present pertinent problem which society has no choice but to challenge.

1.2: Study Area

Although racial profiling, which constitutes a primary factor in the development of the African-American perception of police, is not exclusive to the United States or any other countries, the proposed study focuses on this act, along with other considerations, exclusively in the U.S.

The following excerpt from the testimony of Captain Ron Davis, Oakland Police Department, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), reflects a sense of the dark division racial profiling stimulates.

Racial profiling... is one of the most ineffective strategies, and I call it nothing less than lazy, sloppy police work. it's basically saying you don't want to learn about your community, you don't want to learn about people's behavior, you don't want to do your job, and don't want to investigate, you just want to stop a lot of people and see if you can come up with some statistical number at the end of the evening ("Racial Profiling Laws...," 2008)

The following figure (1) denotes the racial profiling status of various states.

Figure 1: Map of States denoting Racial Profiling Status ("Racial Profiling Laws...," 2008)

1.3: Study Structure

For this researcher's proposed study, chapters following the introduction will include the following sections:

Literature Review

Methodology

Results/analysis

Discussion, Conclusions & Recommendations

During the literature review, the second chapter of the proposed study, this researcher plans to consult at least 20 sources and retrieve relevant literature and data, to analyze to determine the validity of the hypothesis of the proposed study. Research will be obtained through virtual and online libraries, to include books, scholarly journals, magazine articles, newspaper articles.

The third chapter for the proposed study, the methodology will identify and expand on details utilized during the course of research. The literature research methodology will be the primary plan implemented during the study effort.

Chapter four of the proposed study will relate results retrieved from the analyses of information/data obtained during the literature review. A discussion relating to the results of information analyzed will be included in this section. Chapter five of the proposed study will relate determinations from the study, along with the study's verdict of the hypothesis. Conclusions regarding the study of African-American perception of police, along with recommendations for future study, will also be included in the fifth and final chapter of this dissertation. This researcher purports this particular format for the proposed study, analyzing literature, will prove to be effective as it offers an opportunity to access a myriad information/data to fill and enhance this researcher's aims and objectives.

1.4: Aim and Objectives

This researcher aims to explore African-American perception of police to hopefully, as noted earlier, to increase understanding regarding this contemporary challenging concern that counters positive relationships between African-Americans in police. Objectives for the proposed study include:

Objective One

Thoroughly examine factors contributing to the African-American perception of police and the determination as to how this population perceives police in the areas of the affected African-American populations will reflect negative perceptions of police. Also, explore responses African-Americans demonstrate in arrest protocols, versus/and requests for police assistance.

Objective Two

Create relevant research questions relating to the African-American perception of police, and answer these questions, along with retrieving other pertinent information through the proposed study's methodology/

Objective Three

Develop a relevant hypothesis regarding the African-American perception of police and determine its validity.

Research Questions

Current research questions aligned to the intent of the proposed study's focus include:

What is racial profiling?

What "unjust" acts by police instigate complaints by affected, as well as, as observant, concerned individuals.

How do racial profiling and other "unjust" acts by police affect the African-American perception of police?

How can an individual best challenge racial profiling and/or mistreatment by police?

What strategies can African-Americans and police implement to improve relations and decrease incidents of racial profiling and other "unjust" acts by police, as well as, demonstrations of disrespect by African-Americans.

Hypothesis

When racial profiling and/or other racially, motivated "unjust" police actions are routinely practiced, then the affected African-American populations will reflect negative perceptions of police.

In regard to arrest protocols, versus/and requests for police assistance, this researcher expects the proposed study to reveal African-Americans display angry, anxious, and/or antagonistic perceptions, as well as, affirmative, affectionate, and/or appreciative perceptions toward police. The nature of perceptions, this researcher contends, often depends on personal experiences. During the following chapter (2) of the proposed study, from knowledge obtained during the literature review this researcher intends to "...'Let there be light..." (Genesis 1:3, NKJV) on this dark subject.

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW all Americans are the prisoners of racial prejudice." - Shirley Chisholm (b. 1924), African-American politician (Columbia, 1996)

2.1: All American Affected.

Racial prejudice, which frequently leads to unfair acts do not just imprison the race receiving the prejudice. As Chisholm notes at the start of this section, racial prejudice imprisons all Americans. The following three synopsis reflect a sampling of information from literature that will be reviewed in the proposed study.

2.2: Considered Contentions

From the Minds of Adolescents

The article, "Gender, Race, and Urban Policing: The Experience of African-American Youths" (Brunson & Miller, 2006) utilizes a survey along with interviews, to examine ways gender influenced youths' experiences with their neighborhood police,

Minority youth participating in this study in present their perspectives regarding issues and relate personal disturbing information on numerous police practices, noted in low-income neighborhoods. From this study conducted in St. Louis, Missouri, beginning in the spring of 1999 and concluding in the spring of 2000., this research notes a number of strategies police use in this area produced a variety of harms to African-Americans in poor communities, consequently contributing to current concern that more attention needs to be invested in regard law enforcement and criminal justice practices. Complaints included African-Americans facing unnecessary stops, unfair treatment, unusual force, occasional deviance and lower amounts of protection. In some police precincts in urban areas, residents in the area contend police actions in these areas prove more negative than actions taken in higher income suburbs; that young, black males are the main focus of many negative assumptions and actions. (Brunson & Miller, 2006) Areas with widespread poverty, noted by this study, frequently appeared to be prime targets for police to search for drug transactions and other negative activities. Brunson & Miller (2006) interview 35 young females and 40 young males, with ages ranging from12 to 19.

From the researchers' interviews, findings indicate 16 of the females and 33 males experienced police harassment. Most adolescent participants reported they knew of someone reportedly victimized by the police. Most individuals reported being personally harassed in the past. Thirty-three young men compared to 16 young women stated they personally experienced unfair activity relating to police. The young men reported that most of the time, they were harassed even if they did not engage in delinquent activities. More female participants were reportedly harassed when they engaged in delinquent activities. This study finds that young men experienced more violence from police, along with youths stressing they are troubled by how often these incidents occurred near their residences. This researcher notes, albeit, several limitations in the effort and questions: How do one know if these young people told the truth regarding personal experiences with unnecessary harassment from various police officers? As individuals experiencing police scrutiny may be mixed with the wrong crowd, especially in rough neighborhoods, were police merely doing what they are supposed to do? Did participants misread police actions? Despite these considerations, this researcher contends this study to contribute credible points worth considering further in the proposed study.

Evaluations of Police Performance

Evaluations of Police Performance in an African-American Sample.American Sample" reports that members of any minority group generally hold less favorable attitudes towards police than do white individuals.

In the study by Priest and Carter (1999), the researcher utilize an analysis which depicts how variables such as age, education, victimization, respondents' opinions of neighborhoods and safety and link to police performance. The researchers purport that the time it takes for police to arrive at a crime scene or attempt to meet the need for assistance persuades African-Americans perceptions about the police. Only half the respondents in this survey, with the average age 42 years old, had completed high school. Approximately 12% reported they or a member of their family had been victimized by a crime. Over two-thirds of participants stated they feared for their safety in the neighborhoods.

Race Considerations

From their review of at least five studies, Priest and Carter (1999) find that minorities hold a more negative attitude towards police authority than do Caucasians. To show the impact of police service and performance in a large city, the researchers constructed their evaluations over a one-month period. Favorable attitudes towards the police surfaced in different areas of town; however, in other areas kindness did not define community response to police. During June and July of 1996, individuals retrieved data for this particular study through a telephone survey, consisting of 373 mostly completed interviews of the Black community in Charlotte, North Carolina. Survey queries focused on various areas of the African-American community and included issues dealing with economics, politics, and society.

Survey participants were at least 18 years old and resided in twenty-two voter precincts throughout the are, which consisted of just over 60% of African-Americans. The surveyed areas ranged from low-income neighborhoods to upper-income areas in the suburbs. (Priest and Carter,1999) Priest and Carter (1999) found out attitudes of citizens towards the police revealed a reasonably ositive attitude.

Of the 366 individuals who responded to the statement "Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are doing a good job," 65.8% gave strongly agree or agree responses. When asked how they feel about the education of their children, however, only a small percentage over 50% of participants strongly agreed. Past perceptions frequently color current contentions, this researcher purports.

These may evolve from individuals not understanding police and/or from laws against Blacks stemming from slave laws prior to the Civil War. In addition, post Civil War, Jim Crow laws until the 1960s portray an ugly picture on numerous laws in society. (Priest and Carter,1999)

The study by Priest and Carter (1999) determined a reasonable relationship exists between participants' evaluations of police response time and evaluations of police overall performance. A number of results in this particular study, however, appear, to conflict somewhat with prior findings on citizen evaluations of the performance of police. Still, this researcher intends to utilize this study in the study to follow this proposal.

Huebner, Schafer, and Bynum (2004), authors/researchers of "African-American and White Perceptions of Police Services: White Perceptions of Police Services: Within- and between-group variation," note that previous research established attitudes toward the police and related variables based on demographics forecasting citizen satisfaction with performance of the police. During the 1960's, numerous political movements negatively, as well as, positively impacted ways society visualized crime issues and justice, as well as, attitudes towards the police. Responses based on "common sense," coupled with evidence, reveal that society as a whole does not possess the same view of police. Perhaps, due to demographic, as well as, areas individuals live in, perceptions regarding police differ. In turn, a number of various models attempt to depict how one particular race may possess a given opinion and another race may have the opposite understanding..