What does police bias refer to?

Police bias refers to prejudiced behavior that affects law enforcement judgment, influencing how officers perceive, interact with, and make decisions regarding individuals and situations. This bias can stem from various factors, including personal beliefs, stereotypes, or cultural influences, which may lead to unequal treatment of individuals based on race, ethnicity, gender, or other characteristics. Understanding police bias is critical for ensuring fair and impartial law enforcement, fostering community trust, and promoting just policing practices.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of police bias. A preference for certain outcomes in investigations could relate to various motivations but does not inherently indicate prejudiced behavior. A systematic analysis of crime trends involves objective data analysis rather than subjective judgment and does not pertain to bias. Improper arrest procedures may reflect poor training or departmental issues but do not directly define the concept of bias in law enforcement.