NCJ Number
247247
Date Published
April 2012
Length
46 pages
Annotation
This report presents information on traffic stops in Nebraska for the period 2002 through 2011.
Abstract
This report to the Nebraska State Legislature presents information on traffic stops in the State for the period 2002 through 2011. Highlights of the report's findings include the following: in 2011, 179 law enforcement agencies reported 515,390 traffic stops to the Nebraska Crime Commission, with 42 percent of the stops being made by the Nebraska State Patrol and the largest metropolitan agencies accounting for most of the stops (61 percent); the breakdown of types of stops and related data by race remained relatively consistent over the period studied, with the statewide breakdown of stops by race paralleling the census adult population breakdown; and Black drivers in Douglas County and Lancaster County were twice as likely to be stopped by police, while Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans were more likely to be searched compared to Whites or the overall population. Data for this report were obtained from the Nebraska Crime Commission, which is required to collect information on all allegations of racial profiling and the disposition of such allegations. This requirement is the result of legislation passed by the State legislature in 2001 to respond to possible issues relating to the way traffic stops are made. Study limitations are discussed. Tables and figures