The Lansing Police Department has released its latest traffic stop study, an analysis that provides specific data on all traffic violations stops and accidents.
The study, which was recently completed by David L. Carter, Ph.D. and Joseph Schafer, Ph.D. of Michigan State University, analyzes driver demographic, circumstances associated with the stop, and outcome of the stop.
In 2001, the Lansing Police Department began a voluntary and comprehensive process of ensuring officers did not practice what has become known as “racial profiling” or racially biased policing. A departmental procedure was issued to all employees that established guidelines for conducting professional traffic stops and gathering data related to the traffic stop.
According to the report issued by Drs. Carter and Schafer, the data showed there is no evidence that officers are systematically using traffic stops as a pretext for biased policing practices. The reason for stops, disposition of stops, and search outcomes are similar to distributions observed in earlier reports. The authors continue to see no evidence of problematic behavior by LPD – notably, no evidence of “racial profiling” – emerging from these data.
“I am proud of the efforts of the men and women of the Lansing Police Department showing non-biased professional conduct during traffic stops” said Chief Mike Yankowski. “I remain firmly committed to continuing the practice of the LPD documenting all traffic stops as well as having the data reported and analyzed by researchers to ensure transparency and that there is no biased policing being conducted at the Lansing Police Department.”
You can take a look at the 31-page report by clicking here.
