When was the last time you saw someone cross the blue line of police silence into the spotlight to expose the cyclical training which causes thousands to allege targeting by police due to skin color? In 1996 Darren Chaker did just that. While in the police academy, Darren witnessed in its infancy what is now known as racial profiling. Darren broke the code of silence and made his concerns public by addressing the San Diego City Council. Incredibly, after departing the police academy, Darren subsequently invalidated a law aimed at protecting from 'false complaints' by targeting citizens with threats of jail if police believed the complaint was false. See dchaker.blogspot.com Chaker v. Crogan, 428 F.3d 1215 C.A.9 (Cal.),2005, Cert. denied, 547 U.S. 1128, 126 S.Ct. 2023, invalidated a statute on First Amendment grounds and overruled the California Supreme Court‘s unanimous decision in People v. Stanistreet, 127 Cal.Rptr.2d 633.
Narrowly defined, racial profiling occurs when a police officer selectively focuses on a person's race, and subsequently follows, harasses, detains or arrests the individual. Broadly construed, racial profiling can be viewed as targeted policing efforts against minority groups. In laymen's terms, racial profiling has become the catch-all phrase to describe any form of racial injustice, such as "shopping while black." I suggest the term be limited in its application to the narrowest definition.
Racial profiling matured into the issue it is today and is widely recognized amongst both law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, courts, and the ALCU: http://www.aclusandiego.org/issues_item.php?cat_id_sel=001&sub_cat_sel=000060&article_id=000156
See story by Time Magazine concerning racial profiling, http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101010730/
Darren Chaker's Opinion What to do if Profiled:
1. If in a car, pull into an AM/PM, Circle K, or anything that usually has lots of lighting and CCTV cameras.
2. If the officer requests your ID and insurance card, give it to him/her. If the officer wants to know where you are going, or coming from, don't say. Police write profile info on people which branches out into there intelligence database of who you know, where you go, and where you're likely to be. Where you are going, or who you know is not against the law. It's simply a right not speak to police absent providing basic info they are entitled to. If you are on probation/parole, be humble and cooperate as the conditions of parole/probation usually require such. Also, people on probation/parole often give up there Fourth Amendment right, thus your car, residence, etc. may be searched without your consent. Otherwise, never consent to a search or your home, person, car, etc. Police may try to say 'Well what are you hiding' to guilt trip you into consenting. The Fourth Amendment existed long before the officer did, and part of there oath is to uphold the federal constitution. Thus, simply invoking a constitutional right is just that, your right.
3. Remember police are not gift givers. There objective is to get someone in handcuffs. No matter how innocuous of a question you are asked, it's either meant to break down your fear of police, so they may ask you the questions they really want to, and the end result is you or someone you know is going to jail.
4. If you live in an area where you feel harassed by police, carry a recorder around. Most smart phones have this option. Be sure it is not a private conversation you are having as it may be illegal to record the officer.
5. Last, understand the very officer who you feel victimized by, may come back minutes later to save you and will put his life on the line to do so. So even while you feel disrespected, respect them back. Everyone has a bad day. Understand police are often the product of the city and the streets they patrol. If you feel compelled to make a complaint, don't call the station, but write a complaint and send it by certified mail to the police department. Be sure the complaint is accurate and honest.
To Learn More About Racial Profiling See Below Links:
www.aclu.org/racial-justice/racial-profiling
http://www.aclu-sc.org/contents/view/3
http://www.splcenter.org/publications/under-siege-life-low-income-latinos-south/2-racial-profiling#
Understand the days of police being beyond others is gone for police. Now it is common to hear about police comitting murder, domestic violence, child molest, etc. etc.
El Cajon Officer Arrested for Sexual Battery:
San Diego Sheriff Deputy Arrested for Murder by Shooting Her in The Face:
http://www.signonsandiego.com
San Diego Sheriff Deputy Arrested for Embezzlement:
San Diego Police Officer (21 Years Vetern) Arrested for Sexual Misconduct:
http://www.sfgate.com
Los Angeles Officer Arrested for Sexual Battery While on Duty:
http://www.fox6.com
Los Angeles Officer Arrested for Molestation:
http://www.signonsandiego.com
San Diego Federal Grand Jury Indictes San Diego City Council Members for Bribery:
http://www.primenews.com
California Highway Patrol Officer - Attempted Sex With Minor
http://articles.ocregister.com
California Highway Patrol Officer - Murdered College Girl, Denied Parole Again
Oakland Transit Police Officer- Murders Citizen on Video
California Highway Patrol - Sex for Ticket Fixing - Guilty of Perjury & Bribery
and we can't forget the judges....
Orange County California Judge Ronald Kline - Pleads Guilty to Child Porn
San Diego Judges James Malkus, Dennis Adams, Bruce Greer - Convicted of Bribery