What is meant by the term "racial profiling"?

The term "racial profiling" specifically refers to the practice of targeting individuals for suspicion of criminal activity based solely on their race or ethnicity. This approach assumes that certain racial or ethnic groups are more likely to engage in criminal behavior, leading to increased scrutiny and law enforcement actions directed at those individuals. The concern with racial profiling is that it undermines principles of fairness and justice, as it can result in discrimination, reinforce negative stereotypes, and erode trust within communities.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of racial profiling. Analyzing crime data based on demographics is a neutral practice that can help identify crime trends without inherently targeting individuals based on race. Community outreach programs addressing racial issues seek to build relationships and understanding between law enforcement and communities, while a method of training officers on cultural awareness focuses on educating law enforcement to better interact with diverse populations without making assumptions based on race.