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