UCR 1

The Uniform Crime Reports page on the FBI government Web site provides links for their annual Crime in the United States publications. Before you are able to view one of these reports, you are given the following disclaimer:

Caution Against RankingEach year when Crime in the United States is published, some entities use reported figures to compile rankings of cities and counties. These rough rankings provide no insight into the numerous variables that mold crime in a particular town, city, county, state, or region. Consequently, they lead to simplistic and/or incomplete analyses that often create misleading perceptions adversely affecting communities and their residents. Valid assessments are possible only with careful study and analysis of the range of unique conditions affecting each local law enforcement jurisdiction. The data user is, therefore, cautioned against comparing statistical data of individual reporting units from cities, metropolitan areas, states, or colleges or universities solely on the basis of their population coverage or student enrollment.

Why do you think this cautionary notice is given before users are directed to the FBI’s Crime in the United States publication? Expand on your viewpoint and find credible sources to support your rationale.

If you would like to visit the Web site, go to 

http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm#cius.

Part II

Go to 

http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm#cius,

 again. Scroll down to the section entitled, Hate Crime Statistics, and click on “Training Guide for Hate Crime Data Collection.” 

Using this training guide, complete the following:

• Define and describe the following terms:PrejudiceStereotypeDiscriminationRacismSexismIn-groupOut-groupConformityInstitutional supportsSocial categorization
• Point out the distinction between institutional prejudice and personal prejudice.
• Explain ways in which stereotypes can influence memory for and perceptions of events.
• What are common stereotypes of the specific minority groups explained in the training guide? How may one differentiate those stereotypes from accurate descriptions of the minority groups?
• Identify the principal psychological motivations underlying prejudice.

Part III

Based on the information you obtained in Parts I and II, do you think there could be racial or ethnic discrimination in arrests? Does cultural diversity have an impact on law enforcement practice? 

  

In 3-4 paragraphs

Libro University, a small, private university located near the town of Unitas, will be hosting a forum on affirmative action in the college admissions process. Libro University is a major employer in the area, has invited a representative from the Unitas Committee on Human Rights to participate in the forum. The university has an admissions process in which it does not have any particular quota for racial or ethnic categories, but instead it has the goal of creating a diverse student body as one of the factors in the admissions decision process. Even with this goal, the student body of Libro University is only 3% African-American and 2% Latino, which is lower than both the national and local percentages of these racial and ethnic groups. At the same time, some local conservative groups have criticized the university for having any affirmative action or diversity policy, calling it “reverse racism.” Put together some notes for yourself to prepare for the forum, covering the following issues:

• What is diversity?
• What are the reasons for encouraging diversity in a student body?
• How would you describe the value of diversity in the context of education and business?
• What are the social and economic injustices that affirmative action is meant to address (e.g., unequal access to education, past racism, or current economic disparities)? Give examples and use research to support your answers. Are these current issues or in the past?
• Do you support the idea of encouraging diversity or affirmative action policies in this context? Explain.

Part II

Define the concept of affirmative action.

• Do you support or oppose affirmative action in the employment of police officers? Explain.
• Do you think affirmative action is more important in policing than in other areas of life? Explain.