ABSTRACT
Over the years racial profiling has become a significant topic especially among law enforcement agencies across the United States. Many cities and states have made a conscious effort to study racial profiling and ascertain how race and ethnicity plays a significant role in stopping vehicles by law enforcement in their jurisdictions (Cleary, 2000). This literature review will examine the argument of whether racial profiling is practiced significantly by police agencies nationwide, and whether such practices are beneficial or not? The determination of whether race is a significant factor in the likelihood of being stopped by law enforcement is the purpose of this research.

Are African Americans Targeted by Police Because of Their Race?
A Review of the Literature
Examining whether or not African Americans are targeted by police because of their race is an effective topic because African Americans experience it every day and the experience is not a new concept. The argument over racial profiling is based on two questions. Does racial profiling actually occur and if so, is it being used as a legitimate tool by law enforcement? The extent of racial profiling by the public is unknown; however, research reveals that “both race and personal experience with racial profiling are strong predictors in the attitudes toward profiling and that, among blacks, social class affects views of the prevalence and acceptability of the practice” (Weitzer and Tuch, 2002) thus furthering the need to investigate class influences on evaluations of the police. The Rodney King beating is evidence that racial profiling does exist. A 1999 Gallup Poll research study revealed that 77 percent of blacks felt that racial profiling is widespread in the United States; and 42 percent felt they were targeted by police because of their race according to Cleary (2000). The strongest