Matthew Petrocelli, Ph.D., was a speaker last Monday on Racial Profiling
Joe Ray
–Staff Writer –
Matthew Petrocelli, Ph.D., was a speaker last Monday on “Racial Profiling: What we know and what we are doing about it.” Most of the seats were filled up for this speaking arrangement for Petrocelli, Associate Professor at Southern University Illinois – Edwardsville.
Many of them were from a Sociology class, sitting in and learning about racial profiling.
“The committee believes that it is important for students, faculty and staff to hear the reputable ideas of researchers and examine studies conducted on racial profiling,” Karen Olsen, Chairwoman of the Diversity Committee, said.
Racial profiling is the intentional stopping of minority citizens by law enforcement based solely on their race.
It originated in the late 1800s with Cesare Lombraso, who was from Italy.
He broke away from the classical school of criminology and believed that many people were born criminals that are missing links in the evolutionary chain. Petrocelli then commented on the fact that in the 1970s President Richard Nixon declared the “War on Drugs,” which became a federal priority.
He also went on to comment that the government expected results from the budget they used on this war on drugs.
Petrocelli claimed that this was arguably the most profound reason for the rise of racial profiling.
Petrocelli then gave a quote on a piece he did and how the police feel about this topic.
“Police have a mandate to battle crime; they use tools they know work, and profiling is one of them,” Petrocelli said.
Petrocelli said he still believes that solving the problems of racial profiling are still in their infancy.
Another definition of racial profiling is the intentional targeting of minority citizens based on their race.
He clarified the fact that racial profiling is not a white cop problem, but a cop problem.
The Sept. 11 attacks added a new dimension to racial profiling.
People’s attitudes after Sept. 11 have changed about racial profiling as it pertains to the airport, and anyone who may have a Muslim background or may look like a Muslim, according to Petrocelli.
The steps to change racial profiling have been taking place over the years inside the Police Academy.
They are given sessions and classes based on racial profiling, but it hasn’t been the biggest subject inside the Academy.
Karen Olsen said that they chose Petrocelli based on the fact he is a “highly recognized expert in the field of Criminal Studies and Racial Profiling.”
Petrocelli said he feels that racial profiling is a un-American practice, that really motivated him to study the aspects of it in college.
Petrocelli talked about the various surveys that are going on today to really get the information to fix the problem.
The Police Academy is changing its attitude on this situation to avoid racial profiling.
“Diversity in law enforcement is critical,” said Petrocelli.
