What is a lawful use of race in law enforcement?

The lawful use of race in law enforcement primarily pertains to using race as part of a suspect description in very specific and documented scenarios. In particular, when law enforcement agencies are responding to reports of crimes or threats, they may need to provide descriptions of suspects, which can include race if it is relevant to the information provided by witnesses or victims. This use of race is focused on practical law enforcement needs—aimed at quickly identifying a suspect in a situation where time is of the essence and the description can help narrow down potential suspects.

The other options are not aligned with lawful practices. Making stops solely based on race disregards the need for reasonable suspicion and is considered racial profiling. While past criminal history can inform certain law enforcement actions, it does not justify the use of race alone in the decision-making process regarding detainment or stops. Similarly, detaining someone for arrest purely based on race is unconstitutional and discriminatory, as it fails to consider individual circumstances or evidence beyond race itself.