An Analysis of Traffic Stop Data in Riverside, California

• Author: Larry K. Gaines
• DOI: 10.1177/1098611105278325
• Published date: 01 June 2006
• Date: 01 June 2006
• Subject Matter: Articles

10.1177/1098611105278325POLICE QUARTERLY (Vol. 9, No. 2, June 2006)Gaines / ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC STOP DATA

ANANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC STOP DATA

IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA

LARRY K. GAINES

California State University, San Bernardino

This article describes a traffic stop study in Riverside, California, with an

effort to identify evidence of racial profiling. Racial profiling was defined

using the California Statute, which is limited relativeto other definitions. All

trafficstops for 2003 were examined. The data weredisaggregated into stops

made by the traffic unit and stops made by patroland investigative units. No

disparity was found in the traffic unit stops, but there was minority over-

representation in the patroland investigative stops, but differences were not

statistically significant. The patrol and investigative stops were then corre-

lated with the crime and calls for service for the department’s 133 reporting

districts, which produced high correlations. Race and ethnicity of those

stopped were correlated with racial and ethnic suspect information in the

reporting districts, and it was found that there were high correlations. In

addition, the dispositions of stops were examined by race and ethnicity.

Keywords: policing; racial profiling; traffic stops; bias-based policing

Racial profiling came to the forefront as a public issue when the practices of

the New Jersey State Police and the Maryland State Police were examined,

and it was determined that officersfrom those agencies were patrolling free-

ways and making a disproportionate number of stops for minorities. These

discrepancies resulted in investigations and national attention being focus-

ed on the issue of racial profiling. The New Jersey Attorney General per-

formed an investigation in his state and identified a number of problems and

issues with the manner in which the state police were conducting traffic

stops (Verniero & Zoubek, 1999). The report also listed a number of mea-

sures that police agencies should take to avoid the problem of racial

profiling.

POLICE QUARTERLY Vol. 9 No. 2, June 2006 210–233

DOI: 10.1177/1098611105278325

© 2006 Sage Publications

The accusation of racial profiling has become one of the most controver-

sial issues in U.S. policing. A variety of media outlets across the country

have carried stories accusing police departments of engaging in the prac-

tice. Numerous civil rights and civil liberties groups such as the American

Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have decried the problem as being endemic

and have urged legislativebodies to pass laws prohibiting it and controlling

police practices (Harris, 1999), and there have been a number of lawsuits

alleging the practice (Government Accounting Office [GAO], 2000).

There have been a variety of responses to the concern over racial profil-

ing. Several states have mandated that their police departments collect

racial profiling data (GAO, 2000; Smith & Petrocelli, 2001), and a substan-

tial number of departments now collect these data either as a result of such

mandates or voluntarily. Several states such as Missouri and Connecticut

have conducted statewide examinations of the issue. National studies and

policy papers have been issued regarding the topic. The GAO (2000) con-

ducted an analysis of the problem, and the National Institute of Justice and

the Office of Community Oriented Police Services contracted with the

Police Executive Research Forum to examine it (Fridell, 2004; Fridell,

Lunney, Diamond, & Kubu, 2001). Similarly, the ACLU issued a report

detailing a number of issues regarding police traffic stops (Harris, 1999).

The findings from racial profiling or traffic stop studies have been fairly

consistent: Minorities, especially African Americans, are stopped, ticketed,

and searched at a higher rate as compared to Whites. For example, Lam-

berth (cited in State v. Pedro Soto, 1996) found that the Maryland State

Police stopped and searched African Americans at a higher rate as com-

pared to their rate of speeding violations. Harris (1999) examined court

records in Akron, Dayton, Toledo, and Columbus, Ohio, and found that

African Americans were cited at a rate that surpassed their representation in

the driving population. Cordner, Williams,and Zuniga (2000) and Cordner,

Williams, and Velasco (2002) found similar trends in San Diego, Califor-

nia. Zingraff and his colleagues (2000) examined stops by the North

Carolina Highway Patrol and found that African Americans were over-

represented in stops and searches.

DEFINING RACIAL PROFILING

What is racial profiling? The term racial profiling has evolved without

specific meaning, although it has become somewhat clearer as a result of

public debate, legislation, and numerous studies by professional organiza-

Gaines / ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC STOP DATA 211