NCJ Number
223555
Journal
International Journal of Police Science and Management Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: Spring 2008 Pages: 222-237
Date Published
2008
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The paper presents highlights of racial profiling in policing and opinion on recent research, specifically traffic stops.
Abstract
The study found that there had been an overall significant reduction in the arrest of Hispanic racial/ethnic groups traveling on Interstate 10 in Louisiana by State Police (LSP) in the Troop I jurisdiction. Arrest data on eastbound travelers, however, were noted to still be higher than normal, primarily from enforcement efforts targeting drug trafficking in that direction. The data communicated a change in policing methods regarding race, and evidence demonstrated an improvement of methods within Troop I, but it was also noted that certain breaches of ethics and integrity among LSP troopers assigned to Troop I was still alive and active along this stretch of the interstate. It was noted that racial profiling continued to be a hotbed of controversy for both law enforcement officers and citizens, particularly in Louisiana. This study revisited the work of Ruiz and Woessner (2006) regarding the prevalence of racial and demographic profiling along Louisiana’s Interstate 10 corridor. A comparison was made with the original results of that study to Troop I arrest statistics over the last 10 years. Prior research had indicated impropriety on the use of Troop I’s profiling and arrest techniques that frequently resulted in the seizure of contraband and assets. Data were taken from arrest reports filed by the Louisiana State Police and the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office. Tables, references