Resource Guide on Racial Profiling Data Collection Systems. Promising Practicesand Lessons Learned

摘要

One of the ways that law enforcement agencies are addressing concerns andallegations regarding discriminatory policing is through data collection. By collecting information on the nature, character, and demographics of police enforcement practices, we enhance our ability to assess the appropriate application of the authority and broad discretion entrusted to law enforcement. In June 1999, when President Clinton and U.S. Attorney General Reno convened the conference Strengthening Police-Community Relationships, only a few jurisdictions-including San Diego, San Jose, and the state of North Carolina-had voluntarily agreed to collect traffic-stop data. When a followup meeting on racial profiling and data collection was held this past February, more than 100 jurisdictions indicated that they had plans to collect data on traffic or pedestrian stops. To encourage voluntary data collection, the U.S. Department of Justice set about developing a resource guide on this subject. The result is this publication, A Resource Guide on Racial Profiling Data Collection Systems, prepared by staff of Northeastern University. This document provides an overview of the nature of racial profiling; a description of data collection and its purpose; current activities in California, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Great Britain; and recommendations for the future.