Examining the evolution of racial profiling in individualized police practice

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston UniversityThe focus of this study was to examine the controversial issue of racial profiling. This study examined the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of 112 police officers from four separate police departments. The study began with the premise that racial profiling was a widespread issue in law enforcement. It looked to identify attributes, similarities, and differences of contrasting police agencies that would explain why some groups engage in racial profiling and others do not. The research was also undertaken to determine what might mitigate racial profiling practices. This study examined the issue from three different positions. The first step was to determine whether police officers believed that racial profiling was problematic in their respective departments. The cohort overwhelmingly reported that they did not believe racial profiling was a serious problem. The second goal of the study was to determine if a department's organizational culture (attitudes, values, and behaviors) contributed to racial profiling attitudes and practices. This study found, through an examination of organizational commitment, that organizational culture did affect racial profiling practices. Police departments with more committed officers showed lower search disparity rates between minority and majority motorists. Finally, racial profiling attitudes and practices were examined controlling for training. Police departments where a majority of officers received racial profiling training showed lower search rate disparities between majority and minority motorists. They also showed higher levels of commitment to the organization. A statistical analysis found that training and Organizational Commitment were shown to have a statistically significant effect on racial profiling practices. Attitudes, however, appeared to be unaffected. Quantity of training appeared to be the critical factor; quality of training was not examined as a part of this research. Police departments that committed to department-wide training showed lower search rate disparities between minority and majority motorists. Further research is needed to identify the connection between training, organizational culture, and officers' individualized behavior