Facts About Racial Profiling

• Racial profiling is a nationwide problem. Personal stories have been reported across the country -- not only by everyday citizens, but also doctors, lawyers, judges, legislators, police and military officers, and celebrities.

• People believe racial profiling is a problem. Polls show that a majority of both African Americans and whites believe that racial profiling is widespread.

• Racial profiling is based on false assumptions. Police drug programs mistakenly believe that people of color are most of the drug users and sellers. Government studies show that each racial group uses and sells in proportion to their percentages in the population (for example, whites are 70% of the population and 70% of users and sellers; blacks are 15% of the population and 15% of users and sellers).

• Racial profiling is ineffective. Hit rate studies of traffic stops and searches show that people of color, including African Americans and Latinos, are no more likely, and very often, less likely, to have drugs or weapons than whites.

• Data points to the problem. Studies around the country have shown large differences in the rate of stops and searches for African Americans and Latinos, and often, Indians (Native Americans) and Asians, even though all of these groups are less likely to have contraband.

• Racial profiling causes resentment in the targeted communities. It makes them less likely to cooperate in investigations. Independent stop/search data collection & reporting show openness and build trust.