A new poll of more than 2,000 registered voters finds sizable segments of the population — across racial, political and generational lines — believe the police "routinely" make unfair judgments about people based on race/ethnicity, that race relations are as tense now as they were during the Civil Rights era, and that racism remains a major problem.
The survey, commissioned by Rare.us, polled a random group of 2,261 voters in the United States regarding current political and social issues.
It found sharp differences of opinion along racial and party lines, but not as much between younger and older Americans.
About 41 percent of all respondents said they believe police officers "routinely make unfair judgments about people based on race or ethnicity." About 55 percent said they trust the police to "do the right thing."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has been closely following the issue of unnecessary force. Last month, an AJC and Channel 2 Action News investigation highlighted problems with a case where a black teenager was shot by a white Union City Police officer in 2011.
Following the investigation, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard pledged to reopen the case.
The AJC also explored the use of force debate, including what some call an intersection with institutional racism, in the "Black and Blue" series.
"I have relatives, friends, fraternity brothers in all levels and aspects of law enforcement," Todd Duncan, an AJC senior editor, wrote in the series' 11th installment.
But experience had also made him skeptical: "I have been pulled over by police at least once each year since I earned my license at age 17. I’m now 52."
From another perspective, a longtime metro Atlanta police officer wrote in the series that, "Your everyday attitude can go long way. ... If you're legit or if you're wrong, a pleasant attitude can possibly change that officer's attitude."
The Rare poll found 95 percent of black respondents said it is not OK for police officers to make judgments about people based on race or ethnicity, while 57 percent of whites held the same opinion. Almost 80 percent of young Democrats and 56 percent of Republicans were against racial profiling.
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