Racial Profiling in New York City

• In Event: Poster Session II

Abstract

Abstract
New York City communities that are predominantly composed of African Americans and Hispanics experience some form of distrust and negative attitudes towards police officers. This distrust comes from the overwhelming fact that minorities are usually racially profiled and targeted by the police. Henink’s (2013) study revealed that police targeted minorities for low level offenses to control crime in low income neighborhoods. However, according to Henink (2013) most people who were stopped were not guilty of any crime. Stop and Frisk, an aggressive police practice to deter crime, was found to be unconstitutional in 2013 (Floyd v. the City of New York) because it targeted Black and Hispanic males. However, many minorities still feel that they are harassed by the New York Police Department (NYPD) as they live their everyday lives. In this pilot study New York City resident’s perceptions of racial profiling by the NYPD was studied. The study found that residents felt racial profiling still exists and that racial profiling diminishes the quality of life; it also discourages trust and positive relationships between police and community members. Recommendations for improving relations between community members and the NYPD were identified.

Author

• Raby Gueye, Berkeley College