NCJ Number
202993
Date Published
June 2003
Length
128 pages
Annotation
This document provides the results of a literature review, a search for sources of traffic stop-related denominator data, and data analyses performed on the Washington State Patrol’s traffic stop data.
Abstract
The Traffic Stop Data Project has facilitated complex contextual analyses of traffic stop data to enhance the relationship between the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the citizens of Washington. This analysis explores more deeply the initial observations revealed in WSP internal analyses using a combination of statewide census demographic comparisons and comparisons based on accident records. The results indicate that when other standards for rates of citizen contact, incident-specific contextual factors, and the seriousness and number of violations noted during traffic stops are considered, most apparent racial and ethnic disparities are either eliminated or greatly reduced. The most significant finding of the traffic stop data analysis effort is that there is no evidence of a pattern of disproportionate stopping of minorities by WSP officers. The facial ethnic and racial disparities that are in evidence do not arise in the rate of stopping of specific minority group members, but rather are found in the rates of citation and search. The findings point up the place-specific nature of the differential stop outcomes documented across racial and ethnic groups, with regional differences in enforcement focus, prosecutorial policies and preferences, the variable dictates of field supervisors, differing population bases, and varying socioeconomic factors appearing to play major roles in citation and search events independent of the race of ethnicity of vehicle operators. With respect to apparently disparate rates of citation and search, the seriousness of the violation and the number of violations observed represent particularly critical contextual factors that either eliminate or greatly reduce the effect of race or ethnicity of driver on the traffic stop outcome. Many citizens believe that racial profiling is taking place and that minorities are subject to disproportionate stops by officers of the WSP. This belief is particularly common among minority residents in the State. This gap between actual conduct and perceptions of that conduct could undermine the public trust in the WSP. 30 tables, bibliography, appendix