The issue that will be addressed in my issue brief is the problem of bias in stops and searches from the police. I will go into further detail about the exigence of the issue later on, but this issue is an intervention of policy discussion because there have been many policy discussions lately about addressing systemic racism within the criminal justice system. Specifically, the issue brief will investigate different methods of reducing bias in stops and searches, which vary from the standardization of stops to increased funding for mandatory racial bias training.
To establish the existence of this issue, I will use a variety of scholarly resources to establish the ongoing biases in stops and searchers.
For example, a 5-month review of DC police stops and searches was conducted by the ACLU. Among other findings, the ACLU found that there were major disparities that exist between the rates of stops and searches between DC’s white population and DC’s black population. For example, black people are 90% more likely to be stopped than white people. Furthermore, black people are 1575% more likely to receive a warning, ticket, or be arrested after a stop.
It will also be important to establish that this major disparity is a byproduct of racial bias (so we know exactly what the cause needs to be addressed). To establish this fact, I will cite a study published in the journal Nature Human Behavior. This study assessed almost 100,000,000 traffic stops from across the United States. This study reinforces the previous claim that there are disproportionate rates of stopping black Americans.
Furthermore, this study demonstrates that this disproportionate rate is a byproduct of racial bias. The study assesses the rate of stops based on the time of day. The rationale is that it is more difficult to identify a driver’s race if they are driving at night, so if the disproportionate rate of stops disappears after nightfall, then the disproportionate rate of stops during the day is a byproduct of racial bias. And this is exactly what the study found. Specifically, “The results [of the ‘veil of darkness’ statistical analysis] were statistically significant and quantitatively similar in all cases”.
This issue is undoubtedly kairotic. With the reemergence of black lives matter protests and the calls for addressing racial biases in the U.S. (especially as it pertains to racial bias in the justice system), addressing the disparities in traffic stops will serve the goal of addressing ongoing systemic racism in the United States.
Depending on who you ask, the cause of these disparities can be labeled as “intentional” or “inadvertent”. Some people may argue that there are police who are deliberately racist and intentionally target black Americans for traffic stops. Others may argue the disproportionate rate is due to latent or unconscious biases. I would say it is likely a combination of the two categories. Regardless, the important element to focus on is that the disproportionate rates are a byproduct of racial bias. Systemically, it isn’t terribly important whether the bias is conscious or latent; it is more important to create systems that can withstand the existence of racial bias. More accurately, the systems should seek to reduce racial bias in addition to not allowing racial bias to have any effect on policing practices.
The issue brief will explore several possible solutions to addressing this issue. However, these solutions may change according to the research I do.
The first approach will fall under the category of “capacity builders”. A capacity builder is a solution that focuses on educating the members of a group to change their perspectives and norms on a specific issue. This first solution will be to invest in racial bias training. This type of training would require all police stations to have educators teach police about the existence of racial bias and how to address their own racial biases.
The second approach will fall under the category of “system changes”. A system change is a solution that alters the way an institution (the police) functions. Specifically, this solution will seek to standardized the protocol for stops and searches conducted by the police. If processes are standardized, then individual racial biases are less likely to impact policing since the police will have less discretion to enforce the law.
The third and final approach will fall under the category of “inducements”. Inducements are solutions that incentivize individuals to behave a certain way. Specifically, the solution will incentivize police to not stop or search people, and to only do so when absolutely necessary. The incentive could be anything from pay to vacation time.
Of course, this is an oversimplified version of my overbrief, so if you have any questions or concerns regarding any component of the issue brief I would be happy to hear them!
You say this is an oversimplified version of your issue brief, but this was much more descriptive than I thought this assignment had to be (and it is very good!!). Your chosen topic is very relevant and prevalent in today’s society, and something I feel needs to be addressed. You are clearly taking advantage of a kairotic moment to say “hey can we fix this now it’s time to stop this.” I think you have great information from reliable sources to back up your issue brief. I honestly cannot wait to see your whole issue brief and see how well you do with this topic!