Ethics And Racial Profiling

You succinctly described, through personal experience, the biases that affects many regardless of profession. “The racial profiling controversy, which began within the context of traffic stops, is encroaching into other areas like, transportation security, shoplifting, immigration and quality of life enforcement” (Withrow & Dailey, 2011). Many in society will see this as a failure in the lack of family instilled values or a leadership failure but refuse to see it as a personal accountability issue. As accountability is not addressed, people begin to accept a warped reality where stepping over the line of ethics is justified by the results it brings, such as the “honey pot” areas you discussed. This type of behavior spreads like the wildfire
throughout organizations because it provides instant gratification without the accountability. As a result of biased policing, perception is affected. The current calls for criminal justice reform all lead back to the reception and perception of law enforcement’s presence within communities. “Because race is so pervasive an issue in the criminal justice system, minorities as a general rule are more fearful of the police and are more likely to avoid contact with them than nonminorities” (Withrow & Dailey, 2011). Policing is a joint venture with communities, racial profiling whether it is based on race or economic status is detrimental to public safety. Taking on a Biblical Worldview, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28, English Standard Version). Therefore, it is important for Christians within law enforcement to take on leadership positions in order to positively affect such complicated and personal issues such as biases and racial profiling that are destroying communities. More champions for Christ have to speak out on the unethical practices within their agencies and continue to stand for justice and not accept appeasement.