Historical Overview and Perceptions of Racial and Terrorist Profiling in an Era of Homeland Security

Abstract

This study explores and compares the viewpoints of law enforcement and non-law enforcement/student populations regarding terrorist profiling. The research reveals that law enforcement subjects are more likely than non-law enforcement subjects to support the usefulness of terrorist profiling and to be more suspicious of Middle Eastern males in regard to terrorist acts similar to September 11. No significant difference is found between their beliefs regarding racial or terrorist profiling being required to effectively combat terrorism. To explain the results, the article provides the historical background of criminal, racial, and terrorist profiling. The findings provide knowledge useful for enhancing the understanding needed for more effective community policing in a homeland security era.