Introduction

There has been observation that the police have been involved in differential interaction with various members of the community based on the race of a person. It has been claimed that people of particular races are handled ruthlessly by the police compared with those of other races. This has resulted into the need to investigate whether racism is illustrated in police-community interactions as well as measures that need to be taken to address the practice of racism in the interaction between the police and the community (Garcia, 2011). This paper investigates the view that police interaction with the community is characterized by racial profiling with the assumption that people of a particular race are more serious offenders compared with those of other races. It also makes a comparison of whether racism has been prevalent since the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.

Various ways in Which Racism is Illustrated in the Police-Community Interactions

Racial profiling has been common in the manner in which police officers in the United States and other parts of the world deal with those convicted of criminal activities. For instance, it has been observed that the police in America deal brutally with people of African American race compared with the manner in which they deal with people of other races. This has significantly affected the manner in which the relations between African-American relate with the law enforcement agencies (Rowe, 2012). For instance, it was observed that the police in Maryland stopped more African-Americans compared with whites for the suspicion that they were involved in drunk-driving. Another Nationwide survey by the United States Customs Service showed that while 43% of the people searched for use of drugs were African-Americans and Hispanic races, more findings of drug use was found among the white Americans. Another survey by the congressional General Accounting office showed that black females were subjected to x-ray scanning for the suspicion that they were involved in the use of contraband, but the actual findings illustrated that the white American females were actually involved in the use of the contrabands compared with the Black American women (Varsanyi et al. 2012).

Racial profiling has also been observed in terms of physical handling of those suspected of involvement in criminal activities. In the United States, it has been observed that American-Americans are more likely to be physically harmed through brutal attacks by the police compared with White Americans (Wu, 2014). This has been illustrated by the fact that those who have sustained physical injuries under the control of the p0ollice have been African-Americans. The process of targeting criminals has also been discretionary and more police surveillance has been enhanced in areas dominated by African Americans or Hispanics compared with the white Americans.

Ways in Which Racism can be Eliminated in Police-Community Interactions

It has been suggested that racial profiling in the police-community interactions should be curbed by applying particular measures of dealing with methods in which police apply equality in their interactions. An example of such a suggestion is that the police should be trained on how to be fair in dealing with people of various races through embracing of racial diversity and acting in a professional manner (Garcia, 2011). It has also been suggested that there should be accountability in conviction of suspects before declaring their involvement in a criminal act. For instance, police should produce evidence that shows the actual crime committed by a person rather than making assumption that being of a particular race is associated with criminal activities.

It has also been suggested that when the police are required to have a high level of professional qualifications, it will be possible to prevent instances of racial profiling in the manner in which they exercise their duties (Rowe, 2012). For instance, they will be able to handle people of different races fairly without stereotyping them. In order to achieve this suggestion, it has been suggested that the police should be required to have higher academic qualification such as college education.

Comparison of reduction of Racism Since the era of Passing of The Civil Rights Act of 1964

   While racial profiling is still evident in the manner in which the police interact with the community in handling cases of crime, the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and its implementation has resulted into reduced cases of racial profiling in police practice (Sabo et al. 2014). For instance, it has been observed that there is a less significant difference in the brutal acts against minority groups of people in America. In addition, more than 60% of those who have been unfairly treated by the police based on their race have been able to seek redress in court and the necessary compensation in case of unfair handling by the police.

Conclusion

   This paper illustrates the current state of police-community interaction and how racism is reflected in the manner in which the interactions take place. It is observed that the main racial group that have been affected are African-Americans who have been brutally handled by the police and also stopped in highways for suspicions of involvement in various forms of crime such as drunk-driving or ferrying banned substances. It is suggested that one of the methods through which racial profiling in police-community interaction can be reduced is by ensuring training the police on how to manage various racial groups and ensure they have professional qualifications that promote their ability to interact fairly with people of different races.

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