Chapter 11 (201)
Part A
1. In response to allegations of racial profiling (an abuse of discretion), a number of law enforcement agencies have adopted new policies and procedures to control traffic enforcement activities by their officers. Search the Internet for reports on racial profiling. Try key words “racial profiling” or “driving while black.” Also, go to
to an external site., and look for some agency reports.
What departments have adopted new policies and procedures to control traffic enforcement activities by their officers?
Exactly what do these policies and procedures involve?
Some policies involve only the collection of data on traffic stops. What other kinds of controls have been adopted?
Do you think they will be effective in controlling discretion?
Will data collection control discretion? That is, will officers avoid questionable actions if they know they have to report them? Or will data collection deter them from taking any kind of law enforcement action?
Chapter 12
Part B
1. One of the more recent reforms in policing has been the widespread development of mechanisms to file complaints against the police. Search for websites of two large and two small police agencies. Look for agencies that have information on citizen complaint procedures and answer the following questions.
How extensive is the information available on complaint procedures?
Can citizens file anonymous complaints against the police?
What information must citizens provide to file their complaints against the police?
Is a complaint form available on the website?
Is the information provided in the complaint process easy to understand?
Does the website provide any statistics on police complaints?
(As a sample agency, check out the Office of Citizen Complaints in San Francisco at
to an external site..)