E-Racing Racial Profiling

Abstract

Despite widespread denials, racial profiling is a serious problem in many Canadian jurisdictions. The time has come to stop the debate and to focus instead on remedial action that directly addresses the problem. The author begins with an analysis of the dynamics of racial profiling and notes the challenges it poses to institutional measures aimed at changing police culture, such as anti-racism training and hiring practices. Since the breeding ground for racial profiling is the day-to-day crime detection policing that occurs through vehicle and pedestrian stops, one significant step that can be taken is to compel the police to record and publish stop data. This remedial approach has been put into practice in England and in much of the U.S. The author further proposes a revamping of the public complaints system. An objective and independent public complaints process is lacking and formal measures must be taken in this area to improve police accountability. The author also suggests that anti-racial profiling legislation is needed. Perhaps most importantly, law reform is required. To this end, the author details several specific recommendations to stimulate law reform in Canada.