Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jul 2001 Source: Messenger-Inquirer (KY) Copyright: 2001 Messenger-Inquirer Contact: http://www.messenger-inquirer.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1285 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/racial.htm (Racial Issues) RACIAL PROFILING STUDY PROMOTES TRUST A sign often seen at demonstrations to protest racial profiling depicts two men, one white the other black, under the writing, "The man on the left is 75 times more likely to be stopped by police while driving than the man on the right." The man pictured on the left is Martin Luther King Jr. The man on the right is Charles Manson. It's a powerful image that illustrates the feelings of many -- that "DWB," Driving While Black, has become a crime on our nation's highways. A Gallup poll conducted in late 1999 showed that 59 percent of Americans believe that racial profiling is widespread and 81 percent disapprove of its use by police. We're appreciative that our local law enforcement agencies seem to recognize the concern over this issue and have taken steps to enhance public trust by participating in a state program to determine the extent of racial profiling. Owensboro Police Department and the Daviess County Sheriff's Department were two on only 20 departments, from the hundreds of agencies statewide, to participate in a voluntary study to determine if racial profiling is taking place in Kentucky. Last April, Gov. Paul Patton issued an executive order requiring Kentucky State Police to compile the race and gender of people who receive citations or are stopped for various reasons. At the same time, he urged local police and sheriff's departments to do the same, though their participation would not be mandatory. Sheriff Keith Cain was originally skeptical of the idea, saying the state was requesting statistical input from the same entities -- law enforcement - -- that they felt may be violating a person's civil rights. But he did what every leader should, putting his pride and personal beliefs behind the wishes of the public. His agency became a leader for the government's program, serving as the first sheriff's department statewide to test the information collection process. "I don't think there is a problem," Cain said when announcing his department would participate in the study. "But if this enhances the public's trust in local law enforcement, then it's worth our participation." Less than a month later, OPD followed suit, and the city commission passed a municipal order pledging the its support of the study. Both departments said last week that, although the statistical data are not yet available, the study proved what they already knew -- that racial profiling doesn't exist in this area. We have no reason to doubt that. But Kenny Riley, president of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said, that while he doesn't believe racial profiling is a major problem in our community, he remains skeptical of the program. "We all know (racial profiling) happens," Riley said. "You can't deny it happens. It's not nearly as bad here as in bigger cities, but it does happen." We believe any skepticism should center on the credibility of the governor's program, not local law enforcement. Our agencies have embraced the program, done everything that was asked of them and emerged as an example for the entire state. Their willingness to participate should go a long way toward not only improving trust in the black community, but also enhancing faith in law enforcement throughout Owensboro and Daviess County. - --- MAP posted-by: GD