NCJ Number
189174
Journal
European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2001 Pages: 71-93
Date Published
2001
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This article evaluates police stop and search policy and procedures in England and Wales.
Abstract
The article presents research carried out as part of a government program examining the police tactic of stop and search in England and Wales. For many years, figures which have shown a higher rate of stop and search of minority ethnic groups, particularly Black people, have provoked much controversy and have been seen by many as a manifestation of police racism. This article reviews the way in which stop and search affects public confidence in the police, particularly among minority ethnic groups. It also explores the role of stop and search within policing, including an examination of the policy's effectiveness against crime and the evidence for racism in police practice. The article considers how to use stop and search in a way that minimizes negative effects on the community and maximizes its effectiveness against crime. Data analyzed for this study included: interviews with more than 100 operational police officers, supervisors, and managers; observations of more than 340 hours of routine patrol work; in-depth interviews with 55 people stopped or searched and 12 discussion groups with 104 people from the wider community; statistics from police records; statistics from the British Crime Survey; and research visits to a number of police forces. Tables, notes, figure, references