Selecting a Research Methods Project Topic: Exploring the Issue of Racial Profiling in Criminal Justice

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ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

For your Unit 4 Discussion Board, select a single topic to work with for your DB4, IP4, and IP5 assignments. This is the beginning of your Research Methods project for this course
You begin in DB4 by selecting your topic and then writing a “problem statement” that analyzes why it is a problematic issue in criminal justice that needs to be addressed. It will be helpful to select a topic that you are passionate about because you will spend a lot of time researching it. If you do not know what topic to select, then here are some suggestions (not all inclusive) for you to consider:
Racial Profiling

Your DB4 problem statement should discuss or bring into focus the issue(s) that you have identified. Below are some sample questions to jumpstart your creativity. You do not have to answer all of these questions:
Identify the issue. Why is it a problem? Why is it important to be addressed in the Criminal Justice system?
How or why is the issue impacting the community, law enforcement, court cases, correctional operations, or parole administration?
Do laws and/or policies need to be created or changed to fix the identified problem(s)?

Specifically, is the problem a policy issue or a legislative issue? What is the difference between policies and laws?

Does the issue increase recidivism rates? How or why?
Is there a hiring issue or a training issue for Criminal Justice personnel?

HOW TO WORK ON THIS ASSIGNMENT(EXAMPLE ESSAY / DRAFT)

Racial profiling is a significant issue in the criminal justice system that continues to generate a great deal of debate and controversy. It is the act of using race or ethnicity as a factor in determining whether an individual has committed or is likely to commit a crime. This practice violates the principles of equal treatment and justice, which are at the core of the criminal justice system. Therefore, addressing the problem of racial profiling is essential to promote a fair and just criminal justice system.

Racial profiling affects the community, law enforcement, court cases, correctional operations, and parole administration. It creates mistrust and tension between communities and law enforcement and can lead to negative consequences such as wrongful arrests, unjustified searches and seizures, and police brutality. The impact of racial profiling can also extend to court cases, where individuals may be subjected to biased treatment due to their race or ethnicity. Additionally, racial profiling can affect correctional operations and parole administration, where inmates and parolees may face unjust treatment.

The problem of racial profiling requires the creation or revision of laws and policies to fix the identified problems. Specifically, it is a policy issue, as it is the result of law enforcement policies that allow the use of race or ethnicity as a factor in determining whether an individual is likely to commit a crime. Policies are guidelines or rules that guide decision-making, while laws are rules that are enforced by the government. Therefore, policies need to be changed to prevent law enforcement officers from using race or ethnicity as a factor in determining whether an individual has committed or is likely to commit a crime.

The issue of racial profiling can increase recidivism rates by promoting a sense of resentment and mistrust towards law enforcement, making it less likely for individuals to cooperate with law enforcement in the future. Additionally, it can affect the likelihood of employment and housing opportunities, leading to difficulties in reintegrating into society. Moreover, there is a training issue for criminal justice personnel, as law enforcement officers need to be trained to recognize the harmful effects of racial profiling and develop more effective strategies for identifying criminal behavior that do not rely on race or ethnicity.

In conclusion, the issue of racial profiling in the criminal justice system needs to be addressed to promote a fair and just society. It is essential to create and revise policies that prevent law enforcement officers from using race or ethnicity as a factor in determining whether an individual has committed or is likely to commit a crime. Additionally, there is a need for proper training for law enforcement officers to develop more effective strategies for identifying criminal behavior that do not rely on race or ethnicity. Addressing the problem of racial profiling is crucial for ensuring equal treatment and justice in the criminal justice system.

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