Racial Profiling – Massachusetts
"Racial profiling is not effective, not just, and, not conducive to good relations between law enforcement and communities. A good relationship between police and communities is essential for effective police work."
–
Rishi Reddy, AIUSA
How Massachusetts Rates in Protection From Racial Profiling
Massachusetts' racial profiling law is empowered by a pragmatic and effective definition. This definition both acknowledges that racial profiling can sometimes be based on an individual's religious appearance (in addition to be being based on their race, ethnicity, or national origin) and that racial profiling almost always contains multiple other characteristics such as gender, age, or geographic location. Although Massachusetts' laws did require ongoing data collection, the provisions requiring the collection of data expired on March 31, 2002. Currently, there is no ongoing effort to collect data in order to evaluate and analyze substantive changes and remedies. This will inhibit the police's and the public's ability to continuously evaluate the extent of the problem, where it most frequently occurs, as well as the effectiveness of future changes in training and discipline. Additionally, the law does not give the public the right to go into court and ask a judge to order the police to stop racial profiling.Protection from racial profiling: Virtually None
Members of Congress supporting the End Racial Profiling Act of 2004:
Senators John F. Kerry and Edward M. Kennedy and Representatives William D. Delahunt, Frank Barney, James P. McGovern, Martin T. Meehan, John W. Olver, and John F. Tierney