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Jordyn Edwards

Dr. Wynne

19 April 2017

Opinion Piece

Advanced Stop and Frisk Policies

Hillary Clinton once said during the 2016 election, Stop and Frisk was found to be

unconstitutional and, in part, because it was ineffective. It did not do what it needed to do (Stop

and Frisk Practices). Implemented in societies across America but more profoundly practiced in

New York and Chicago, stop and frisk is detrimental to all communities. It allows Police Officers

to conduct aimless street interrogations and take innocent people into police custody. Often

times, advocates and activists consider what could be done to put an end to these laws to protect

families that are targeted by stop and frisk. In order for a change to be made in society, there

needs to be an advanced policy that is carried out to ensure officers are doing their job

thoroughly and effectively. As an alternative to the current approach of stop and frisk, I advocate

that police departments eliminate the use of probable cause and stop suspects only under visible

evidence and supporting information. The first step of implementing this policy is starting within

the root of the problem: police departments. Police departments need to ensure that their officers

are carefully handling citizens when they are frisking, arresting and interrogating. By doing this,

it will eliminate the number of arrests, interrogations and stops that take place in streets and

affects communities.
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Currently, probable cause allows police to have a reasonable suspicion that a crime has

been, is being, or is about to be committed before stopping a suspect. It is defined as, Apparent

facts discovered through logical inquiry that would lead a reasonably intelligent and prudent

person to believe that an accused person has committed a crime, thereby warranting his or her

prosecution (Probable Cause). Police may conduct a frisk if the continued suspect is armed and

dangerous. They have been able to question suspects, pat down outer clothing and deprive

persons of their liberty on their own terms (Bubsy, John). Probable cause can no longer be

dependable or enforced because police officers do not have to be absolutely certain that criminal

activity is taking place to perform a search or make an arrest. This policy change will require that

probable cause is no longer a justification for the basis of a stop and frisk search. In these terms,

police officers will need to have received confirmed evidence from other officers or citizens that

the suspect is armed, dangerous and a threat to society. Examples of reliable evidence include

pictures, video surveillance and hotline tips. Police officers taking action based on authentic

evidence will create less problems

between the public and law

enforcement. As well, this change in

policy will protect minorities from

being terrorized and stalked by police

officers who are looking for a reason

to arrest them. It could potentially

alleviate the pressure officers feel by

them not having to use their own

knowledge and judgement to stop

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someone who may look dangerous. Police departments as well as the U.S. government will be

pleased with this policy because it is more effective and has the ability to lower crime rates in

cities across America.

To ensure that police officers understand the requirements and know the accuracy of

reliable evidence, they must take classes taught by trained officials. In these classes they will

learn how to receive evidence, act upon it and move accordingly to how the situation should be

handled. This will prevent police officers from acting upon their own knowledge that could

potentially be bias or flawed and jeopardize the life of someone who really is not a suspect. For

this policy change to accurately be executed, police officers must be cooperative throughout their

training process.

A policy change regarding the law of stop and frisk is necessary in cities where it is

strictly enforced. Slowly but surely, crime rates will start to decrease and so will the number of

senseless arrests. The classes that are taught through police departments will ensure that police

officers are arresting suspects who have truly been involved in criminal activity. Police officers

will feel more confident in their profession because they are making a difference and not taking

citizens into custody for the wrong reasons. This policy change will be a first step in eliminating

the harsh laws of stop and frisk that will work to bring communities and law enforcement

officials together.
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Works Cited

Busby, John C. "Probable Cause." LII / Legal Information Institute. N.p., 17 Sept. 2009. Web. 21

Apr. 2017.

"Probable Cause." The Free Dictionary. Farlex, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2017.

"Stop and Frisk Practices." New York Civil Liberties Union. N.p., 21 Feb. 2017. Web. 21 Apr.

2017.