Ethnicity and the Law

Ethnicity and the Law

You are a police investigator working in an ethnically diverse community. Over time, you confirm that young men from one ethnic group are most often involved in the criminal conduct that you investigate. You also notice that many of your colleagues make assumptions about the criminal behavior of all young men in that ethnic group. Answer the following questions:

a. Is there anything improper in the way in which your colleagues take into account the ethnicity of a suspect when observing or investigating criminal activities? Why or why not?

b. What can you do to make sure that your behavior is within constitutional limits?

c. What can you do to influence or change your colleagues’ behavior? What are some possible problems that may occur if they do not change?

d. What other constitutional concerns might you have regarding this behavior?

Solution: