Columbus police say the allegations are exaggerated and unfairly taint an entire department. They do not believe they mistreat people. And they've worsened because there continues to be this pattern of denial many times by the police department that there's no problem. In many ways the issue is racial sensitivities on both sides. Minorities say police see them as potential criminals rather than law-abiding citizens.
Some police say better training can address the mistrust.
Yet, the fact remains that while African Americans are only 12 to 13 percent of the overall U.S. population, they make up about 50 percent of the prison and jail population. Now in Cincinnati, the Justice Department must help find out whether arrest patterns reflect the reality of crime in the city or selective enforcement. ABC News Internet Ventures. Internet Safety Information applicable to the site.