Threats to Civil Liberties: Policing

October 1, 2018
Grades 9-12 This thorough, unbiased entry in the Threats to Civil Liberties series (5 titles) examines different police procedures and connects them with court cases that have had an impact on policing. Though the Supreme Court ruled in favor of stop-and-frisk procedures, for example, stop-and-frisk is extremely controversial, as it is highly abused and continues to violate the civil liberties of law-abiding citizens. The text offers examples of how many police officers will abuse Miranda rights in order to get a suspect to confess. The book also explains the disproportionate use of force against minorities and the racial disparities inherent in such a misuse. Profiling beyond race (sexual orientation, religion) is mentioned, and this ends with a discussion of how laws for crimes such as sexual assault are underenforced. A solid look into the complicated workings of policing and court rulings.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)