Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Jordyn Edwards
Dr. Wynne
19 April 2017
Opinion Piece
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.
Edwards 2
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
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
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.
Edwards 4
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.