Even though this policy can create safer environments for the American public, especially around crowded areas, where threats of terrorism, theft, or rape may occur, it ultimately leads these officers to categorize criminals and create ideals of how certain master minds may appear. For example, the idea that a young African-American man wearing a hoodie, loose clothes, looking disheveled is a robber is a generalization that police officers develop because of this policy. Or when a young Muslim woman wearing a veil, as myself, is seen waiting on the subway or standing on the bus, police officers rashly associate her with being an extremist with explosives hidden under her long black dress. These stereotypes are used for stopping and searching "potential suspects" on "probable cause." Consequently, the public reacts with strong dislike towards these officers’ behavior.
This policy has led to a diminishing trust between the officers and the public because of fear and resentment of being wrongfully stopped and frisked for "looking like someone." The American public looks up to these officers for safety and justice. But if these very officers go about abusing their powers and bothering innocent people on the basis of probable cause, then it is indeed going to result in a lack of support from the American people, especially minority groups that are associated with these stereotypes.
By upholding this policy, the attention of the law enforcement is shifted from implementing laws and ending crime to stopping people on the D train because of stereotypes. Their policing becomes ineffective. The job of police officers is to enforce the laws in the federal and state Constitutions, not to use their biased judgments to create stereotypes about suspicious looking people.
Witnessing an innocent boy become the victim of stop and frisk has made it clear to me that racial profiling impacts many minority groups, especially African-Americans, Hispanics, and Muslims. It is necessary for Americans and the government to develop safer and just tactics in stopping crime.
"Stop Racial Profiling Now! ..." Continued By: Marium Dar