The Uniform Crime Reports page on the FBI Web site provides links for its annual Crime in the United States publications. Before you are able to view one of these reports, you are given the following disclaimer:
Caution Against Ranking
Each year when Crime in the United States is published, some entities use reported figures to compile rankings of cities and counties. These rough rankings provide no insight into the numerous variables that mold crime in a particular town, city, county, state, or region. Consequently, they lead to simplistic and/or incomplete analyses that often create misleading perceptions adversely affecting communities and their residents. Valid assessments are possible only with careful study and analysis of the range of unique conditions affecting each local law enforcement jurisdiction. The data user is, therefore, cautioned against comparing statistical data of individual reporting units from cities, metropolitan areas, states, or colleges or universities solely on the basis of their population coverage or student enrollment.
Discuss the following:
Why do you think this cautionary notice is given before users are directed to the FBI’s Crime in the United States publication? Expand on your viewpoint, and find credible sources to support your rationale.
Click here if you would like to visit the Web site.
Part II
Open the Hate Crime Data Collection Guidelines and Training Manual, scroll down to page 4, and review the Table of Contents. Specifically, look at hate crimes and the different classifications of bias. Using the Table of Contents, complete the following:
Define and describe the following terms:
Bias
Race bias
Ethnicity bias
Religious bias
Bias motivation
The nature of a hate crime
Bias motivation by category and type
Legislative mandate to report hate crime
Point out the distinction between institutional prejudice and personal prejudice.
Explain ways in which stereotypes can influence memory and perceptions of events.
What are common stereotypes of the specific minority groups explained in the training guide? How may one differentiate those stereotypes from accurate descriptions of the minority groups?
Identify the principal psychological motivations underlying prejudice.
Part III
Based on the information you obtained in Parts I and II, do you think there could be racial or ethnic discrimination in arrests? Does cultural diversity have an impact on law enforcement practice?