David Harris studies, writes and teaches about police behavior and regulation, law enforcement, and national security issues and the law.
Professor Harris is the leading national authority on racial profiling. His 2002 book, Profiles in Injustice: Why Racial Profiling Cannot Work, and his scholarly articles in the field of traffic stops of minority motorists and stops and frisks, influenced the national debate on profiling and related topics.
His work led to federal efforts to address the practice and to legislation and voluntary efforts in over half the states and hundreds of police departments.
He has testified three times in the U.S. Senate and before many state legislative bodies on profiling and related issues.
His 2005 book, Good Cops: The Case for Preventive Policing, uses case studies from around the country to show that citizens need not trade liberty for safety; they can be safe from criminals and terrorists without sacrificing their civil rights if law enforcement uses strategies based on prevention.
He gives speeches and does professional training for law enforcement, judges, and attorneys throughout the country, and presents his work regularly in academic conferences.
