Media hype, racial profiling, and good science.

• Author: Gold, Alan D.

The requirements for good science are basically simple. They comprise a clear understanding of what is being investigated; objective and reliable collection and recording of observations, findings, or data; and rational analysis of those observations, findings, or data in order to draw sound conclusions. The requirements for articles that sell large numbers of newspapers are clearly different, comprising good stories or anecdotes, generally told by sympathetic victims of some injustice or other, accompanied by sweeping generalizations couched in emotional or provocative language. The latter masquerading as the former is what is found in the Toronto Star's articles claiming to have statistically proved racial profiling on the part of the Toronto Police Services.

Anecdotal evidence of racial profiling and the fact that there is, in many quarters, a belief in racial profiling are significant and important social realities. But as evidence of the reality of some objective phenomenon to which that label is being attached, such anecdotal evidence is unacceptable. Anecdotal evidence speaks more to beliefs than facts, especially when the anecdotes and beliefs are themselves being widely publicized in the media. There is more than a real possibility of a vicious circle or self-fulfilling prophecy regarding racial profiling, which begins with claims, is fuelled by publicity, and leads to stronger belief and more claims. An even greater possibility of self-generating smoke without real fire exists where the beliefs have spawned a multimillion-, if not billion-dollar industry devoted to the problem.

An Internet search on racial profiling returns tens of thousands of American Web pages. The American Civil Liberties Union has made attacking racial profiling one of its top contemporary concerns, filing several lawsuits, preparing numerous publications and presentations, and highlighting the issue in fundraising materials. Federal and state legislation has been passed in the United States regarding the matter. Several "leading experts" have built careers and produced best-selling books on the topic, as well as signing on as consultants or expert witnesses on the issue. Conferences have been devoted to the topic, and local and state and federal government departments have been created to deal with the issue. Without any recognition of historical or other differences between the United States and Canada, on the topic of racial profiling our "longest undefended border" is truly undefended; the American literature and experience has been simply imported in its entirety and assumed holus bolus to be applicable to Canada.

The existence of numerous anecdotes and widely held beliefs about racial profiling is cause for concern because of the high social costs involved. It is a matter of great importance that a community believes it is being unfairly treated by the police, completely aside from the question of whether that belief is objectively true. How such a situation arose may be less significant than its resolution. Such a problem requires solutions focused on improving communications, building mutual trust, increasing transparency to allay fears, and ensuring proved occasions of impropriety are quickly and sternly dealt with. On the community side, it also requires an appreciation of the potential for self-serving claims that are either intentionally or even unwittingly false. Guilty accused, unsurprisingly, may use every conceivable avenue to escape punishment. The reality of false, self-serving claims of racial bigotry or harassment must be acknowledged by the relevant group. It is most unfair to the police to demand that every claim of professional impropriety be presumed valid. The necessity for demanding evidentiary verification of claims of bigotry or other impropriety must be appreciated by the relevant community, although, of course, the fairness and other aspects of the verification process can be assessed to ensure they meet appropriate standards.

But my commentary is not about belief in racial profiling as a problem in its own right. It deals with racial profiling as an empirical phenomenon that is supposed to exist at the Toronto Police Services (and at other police forces). It is also about claims that the phenomenon has been proved by evidence which has been offered by the Toronto Star in a series of newspaper articles. Those empirical claims must be examined with the requirements of science to which I have already referred clearly in mind.

What is racial profiling?

It does not take long for anyone examining the literature on racial profiling to realize that it is...