NCJ Number
207432
Journal
Illinois Law Enforcement Executive Forum Dated: July 2001 Pages: 91-100
Editor(s)
Thomas J. Jurkanin Ph.D.
Date Published
July 2001
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article attempts to clarify several issues related to racial profiling in policing and data collection specific to Illinois, and suggests potential strategies for a better understanding in the nature and extent of the behavior in order to develop possible solutions.
Abstract
Due to the growing national concern for racial profiling in law enforcement, virtually every State has introduced or passed legislation requiring recording of detailed information on race or ethnicity of persons involved in encounters with police. The general assumption behind this national effort is that racial profiling by police officers does occur and is widespread. However, evidence supporting this assumption is subjective. This article discusses the issue of data collection in relation to racial profiling in policing. In the fall of 2000, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) surveyed 1,200 law enforcement agencies in Illinois with 165 agencies responding. The survey was composed of 10 questions on racial profiling and data collection. Highlights of the survey results indicated: (1) less than 15 percent of the 165 agencies were currently collecting data on gender or race/ethnicity when making traffic stops, Terry stops, or when searching citizens; (2) agencies reporting that they currently collected data on gender during traffic stops had been doing so for an average of four and a half years; and (3) most agencies reported having received no official complaints based on gender, race, or ethnicity during the past year (87 percent). References